The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has assured Nigerians that genetically modified organisms (GMOs), particularly in food, are not harmful to human health if safety protocols are strictly followed.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Adeyeye stated that while concerns around GMOs persist, their safety depends largely on the type of food and the regulatory measures in place.
“GMOs are not bad for us,” she said. “They’re not, depending on what type of foods they are and whether these safety considerations have been taken.”
Adeyeye highlighted that the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) is the lead authority on GMO regulation in Nigeria, while NAFDAC works in close partnership with the agency through a memorandum of understanding.
“They are mandated to ensure that the foods that have GMO are of quality and they are safe,” she explained. “Without NBMA certifying that they have done their due diligence, NAFDAC cannot give approval.”
Describing herself as a “food freak,” the NAFDAC DG said she personally checks food labels for GMO information and encourages transparency so that consumers can make informed choices between organic and non-organic products.
“It’s supposed to have ‘genetically modified food’ written on the label,” she said, adding that such labeling should be standard to allow consumers to exercise preference.
Adeyeye reiterated that NAFDAC’s core responsibility is to ensure that all food products in the Nigerian market meet strict standards of safety, quality, and efficacy.
“Our mandate is to ensure that the foods we approve for the market are safe, of high quality, and beneficial to health,” she said. “That’s why our collaboration with NBMA is solid and essential.”
