Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research Raises Concerns Over GMO Crops Proliferation in Nigeria

The Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research (CEFSAR) has voiced concerns over the rapid spread of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) crops across Nigeria, citing potential dangers to biodiversity, food safety, and the health of the Nigerian populace.

At a recent briefing ahead of a symposium to address these concerns in Abuja, the centre highlighted the lack of laboratory infrastructure to test and verify the safety of GMOs, particularly in the food industry.

This gap in the regulatory framework means there is no system in place for labelling GMOs, which has deprived consumers of the right to make informed choices about their food.

CEFSAR’s executive director, Prof Qristtuberg Amua, warned that GMOs are engineered to resist high levels of pesticides, which could lead to the gradual disappearance of indigenous crops and a dependency on chemical-intensive farming methods.

This shift could result in increased pesticide runoff into water sources and soil, posing a significant risk to human health