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LAGOS – Science advances through questioning. It welcomes scrutiny, demands transparency, and relies on evidence. Public debate about new technologies is both necessary and healthy. However, when discussions are driven by misinformation rather than facts, society risks rejecting innovations that could improve lives and strengthen national development.
This is the challenge facing agricultural biotechnology in Nigeria today. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have become one of the most debated topics in agriculture.
Unfortunately, much of the conversation is shaped by fear, rumours, and misinformation circulating on social media instead of scientific evidence. While Nigerians have every right to ask questions about the safety and regulation of GMOs, those questions deserve answers based on rigorous research rather than speculation.
Nigeria faces enormous agricultural challenges. A growing population, climate change, declining soil fertility, devastating insect pests, and rising production costs continue to threaten food security.
Although Biotechnology is not a miracle solution to these problems, scientists have established that it is an important tool that complements conventional breeding by helping develop crops with desirable traits more precisely and efficiently.
This is seen in testimonials by farmers who have avowed that the benefits of the genetically modified crops approved in the country are already becoming evident. Farmers cultivating Bt cowpea, for example, have reported that they recorded significant reductions in damage caused by the destructive pod borer, resulting in higher yields and substantially fewer insecticide applications.
Likewise, farmers of TELA maize, a variety of the crop developed by indigenous scientists at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) in Samaru, Zaria, to resist stem borers and fall armyworm, two pests responsible for severe maize losses across Nigeria, are reporting remarkable harvests as against what obtains in the past. By reducing dependence on repeated pesticide spraying, the proponents of these technologies say they help lower production costs, reduce farmers’ exposure to agricultural chemicals, and contribute to more sustainable crop production.
Despite these avowed benefits, public acceptance of the varieties remains limited because misinformation often spreads faster than scientific facts.
One of the most common beliefs, which the scientists behind the development of the new crop varieties say is a misconception, is that GMOs are released without proper oversight. While this narrative could be linked to the porous regulation of technologies and other products of foreign origin in Nigeria, it is safe to say that Nigeria has, over the years, been able to build a robust biosafety regulatory system that offers a strong first-line vetting for GMOs in the country.
The law prescribes that, before any genetically modified crop is approved for cultivation in Nigeria, it must undergo years of laboratory research, greenhouse evaluation, confined field trials, environmental risk assessment, food and feed safety evaluation. These assessments are coordinated by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) in collaboration with independent scientists from Nigerian universities and research institutions.
Accordingly, commercial release must be granted only after evidence demonstrates that the crop is safe for human health, animals, and the environment. It is a general belief that all improved crops are genetically modified.
This was discountenanced by Dr
Bernard Ehirim, an expert in Plant Breeding and Genetics, who works as Steward Manager with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) during a recent radio interview.
During the programme featured on a popular Nigerian Radio Station, Dr. Ehirim explained that many crops commonly assumed to be GMOs, including large fruits, seedless grapes, and hybrid varieties, are products of conventional breeding, not genetic modification, disclosing that, in Nigeria, only a few genetically modified crops, including Bt cotton, Bt cowpea, and TELA maize, have been approved following rigorous scientific evaluation.
Regardless of how well-intended they were, the scientific evidence behind every new innovation should always remain open to scrutiny. There is no doubt that scientists themselves continuously test, verify, and challenge existing knowledge. However, there is an important distinction between healthy scientific scepticism and misinformation, which they must always step out of the comfort of their laboratories to explain to the intended consumers of their end products. This is because skepticism seeks evidence before reaching conclusions, just as misinformation often begins with conclusions and ignores evidence that does not fit preconceived beliefs.
When misinformation dominates public discourse, the consequences extend beyond scientific disagreement. Farmers may reject technologies capable of improving productivity and reducing crop losses, just as investments in agricultural research may fail to benefit society. Ultimately, food production suffers, dependence on imports increases, and food becomes less affordable.
Nigeria’s agricultural future depends on informed decisions. Citizens should continue asking questions about biotechnology, while scientists, regulators, and
policymakers must continue providing transparent, evidence-based answers. Constructive dialogue, not fear or sensationalism, is the foundation of sound public policy.
As Nigeria strives to achieve food security under increasingly difficult climatic conditions, the debate over GMOs should be guided by science, transparent regulation, and credible evidence. The country deserves a conversation that empowers farmers, protects consumers, and supports innovations capable of strengthening the nation’s food system. Decisions about biotechnology should ultimately be based not on the loudest voices, but on the weight of scientific evidence.