By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr. Agnes Yemisi Asagbra, on Wednesday, marked her second year in office with a press briefing in Abuja, highlighting significant achievements in biosafety and biosecurity regulation across the country.
Speaking at the event, Asagbra said the agency had intensified efforts to ensure the safe application of modern biotechnology, protect biodiversity, and support national food security and sustainable development.
One of the agency’s major achievements, she noted, was the nationwide surveillance and monitoring of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in 32 supermarkets. The exercise, according to her, was aimed at ensuring that only approved GMO products were available to consumers, in line with international labelling standards.
“This contributes directly to the preservation of biodiversity by preventing the unintended release of unauthorized organisms,” she said.
Asagbra also disclosed that the agency approved and supervised seven confined field trials (CFTs) for genetically modified crops. These include pest-resistant cowpea and gene-edited cassava with improved root yield.
“These trials are laying the foundation for a science-driven agricultural transformation in Nigeria,” she said, adding that such crops will reduce pesticide usage and enhance resilience against climate stress.
To further entrench a culture of regulated biotechnology research, NBMA accredited three key institutions: the National Institute of Horticultural Research (NIHORT), INQABA Biotech West Africa, and the Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Calabar.
“These institutions are now part of Nigeria’s biotech vanguard,” the DG noted.
She announced that nine facilities across the country have been certified for food, feed, and processing (FFP) of GMO materials. The certification, she said, ensures that biosafety protocols are followed across the agricultural value chain from production to processing.
Highlighting human capacity development, Asagbra revealed that 1,470 Nigerians were trained in 2024 alone. The trainings covered GMO detection, biosafety laboratory analysis, environmental risk assessment, and regulatory compliance.
“We are building a new generation of biosafety professionals to serve as watchdogs and innovators in the food and health sectors,” she said.
On the biosecurity front, the DG stated that the agency had expanded its role to address biological threats by partnering with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and INTERPOL.
She listed key initiatives to include the establishment of the National Biosecurity Advisory Committee, the inauguration of the National Technical Working Group on Biosecurity, and the rollout of the National Biosecurity Action Plan (2022–2026).
“These steps are critical to ensuring Nigeria’s preparedness against biological threats whether natural, accidental or deliberate,” she said.
Dr. Asagbra reaffirmed NBMA’s commitment to advancing safe biotechnology practices in line with the administration’s development agenda.
“Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, we have safeguarded Nigeria’s biodiversity, promoted low-chemical agriculture, and contributed to food security,” she said.
She promised that the agency would deepen public engagement, collaborate more with stakeholders, and continue investing in innovation and biosafety education.
“Regulation is not a barrier to innovation it is the bridge that connects innovation to trust and sustainability,” Asagbra concluded.
