The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, has affirmed that genetically modified organisms (GMOs), particularly in food, are not harmful to human health, provided that all safety standards are met.
Speaking during a televised interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Professor Adeyeye emphasized that the safety of GMO foods depends largely on the type of food and the rigorous safety assessments carried out before such products are approved for the market.
“GMOs are genetically modified foods when it comes to food, and they are not bad for us. They’re not. They are not bad for us, depending on what type of foods they are and whether these safety considerations have been taken,” she said.
She clarified that while GMOs are often misunderstood, they are safe for consumption once properly scrutinized and certified by relevant authorities.
Adeyeye highlighted the role of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) as the statutory body responsible for GMO oversight in Nigeria. She noted that NAFDAC works in close collaboration with NBMA to ensure food safety.
“We have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with them. They are mandated to ensure that foods with GMO content are of good quality and safe,” she added.
Describing herself as a “food freak,” Adeyeye stressed the importance of transparency in food labelling and consumer awareness. “I want to know that what I’m eating is going to give me a good health outcome. I look at the label. I want to be sure that the NAFDAC label is on it.”
She stated that GMO food products are expected to carry labels clearly identifying them as genetically modified. This allows consumers to make informed choices between organic and GMO products.
Adeyeye further noted that NAFDAC’s primary mandate is to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of all regulated products, including food items in the Nigerian market.
“But for NAFDAC, our goal… we are mandated to ensure that the foods that we approve for the market are safe, they are of quality, and of course, efficacious,” she said.
She concluded by reiterating the strength of the agency’s collaboration with NBMA, stating that NAFDAC does not approve any GMO product without prior certification from the biosafety agency.
“So it is a joint collaboration between us and Biosafety. Without them certifying that they have done their due diligence, we cannot approve,” Adeyeye emphasized.
The reassurance from NAFDAC comes at a time when public debates around food safety, transparency, and biotechnology continue to gain attention both locally and globally.
