The Coordinating Ministry of Health and Social Welfare says it is collaborating with agencies to address growing public concerns over Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) food safety.
The collaboration focuses on safety issues and improving public confidence on GMOs.
Genetic modification (GM) is a technology that involves inserting DNA into the genome of an organism.
To produce a GM plant, new DNA is transferred into plant cells. Usually, the cells are then grown in tissue culture where they develop into plants.
The seeds produced by these plants will inherit the new DNA.
The collaboration meeting recently in Abuja, brought together Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health; Dr Agnes Yemisi Asagbra, Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA); and Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Alausa examined the importance of consistent communication among government agencies to allay fears about GMO foods.
He highlighted the necessity of a collaborative approach, supported by extensive scientific evidence, to ensure the safety of GM foods.
The minister said that the collaborative effort between NBMA and NAFDAC was expected to enhance the regulatory framework for GM foods in the country.
This, he said, would ensure that public health concerns were addressed with the highest standards of scientific integrity.
Asagbra commended the Minister’s initiative and underscored the historical collaboration between NBMA and NAFDAC, referencing a Memorandum of Understanding established in 2017.
She noted that no GM food permits were issued without NAFDAC’s involvement and called for enhanced cooperation to ensure food safety.
On her part, Adeyeye clarified that her previous remarks on GM foods were misunderstood, reaffirming NAFDAC’s commitment to rigorous safety standards.
According to Adeyeye, no GM foods will be approved without thorough scientific safety assessments.
The key resolutions from the meeting include: the establishment of a Technical Working Group (TWG) between NBMA and NAFDAC.
Also, the group would develop terms of reference for the TWG and set up a secretariat, to refer applicants to NBMA prior to processing by NAFDAC, and to continue collaboration on risk assessment and GM food labelling.
Others are enhancing capacity building and training exchanges and to joint efforts in IT and Global Listing initiatives.
The meeting marked a significant step towards unified governance in food safety and public health in Nigeria.
Both agencies said they remain committed to ensuring that scientific evidence guides their actions, fostering public trust in food safety regulations.
“By working together, we reaffirm our commitment to science, environmental protection, and safeguarding the health of the nation.”
By Abujah Racheal
