Experts are calling for the Federal Government to ban the promotion, use, and consumption of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) to safeguard Nigeria’s food sovereignty.
This was emphasized at a conference titled “Beyond the Propaganda: Unveiling the Truth Behind GMOs,” organized by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) in Abuja.
GMOs, which are organisms whose genes have been altered using genetic engineering technologies, have sparked significant debate.
HOMEF’s Executive Director, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, praised the House of Representatives’ resolution to suspend GMOs as a step in the right direction but insisted that an outright ban is necessary for protecting Nigeria’s food sovereignty.
He criticized the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) Act for its ineffective implementation and argued that GMOs have not resolved global hunger and will not do so in Nigeria, citing insecurity and lack of rural infrastructure as the main issues.
Bassey called for stringent regulations to ensure food sovereignty, the preservation of ecosystems, and the elimination of GMOs. “We must bring back our indigenous food heritage, decolonize our tastes, and kick out GMOs,” he stated.
Prof. Zachary Gundu, Vice Chancellor of the University of Mkar, Benue State, highlighted the health and environmental risks posed by GMOs. He warned against Nigeria becoming a dumping ground for foreign GMO products, which he said benefit Western profit at the expense of local farmers.
He stressed the importance of self-sufficiency in food production, recommending the registration of small farmers, promotion of biodiversity, and increased agricultural research and development.
Rev. Fr. Aniedi Okure, Executive Director of the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), emphasized the natural order of creation and the health risks associated with processed foods.
He argued that GMOs are designed to profit and control humanity, citing Monsanto’s numerous lawsuits against farmers for patent infringement.
To address these concerns and ensure food security amid looming scarcity, stakeholders at the conference urged amendments to the NBMA Act. They also called for alternative approaches to food system challenges and the promotion of food sovereignty.
The event brought together representatives from academia, civil society, farmers, and the National Assembly to discuss the health, environmental, and economic implications of GMOs and to develop strategies for preserving Nigeria’s food heritage.
LV