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) are safe for consumption, provided they meet regulatory safety standards.
Prof. Adeyeye made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, amid rising public concerns over the safety of GMO foods in Nigeria.
“GMOs are not harmful to human health,” she said. “Their safety depends on the specific type of food and whether proper safety assessments have been carried out.”
She clarified that the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) holds the primary mandate for evaluating the safety of GMO products, with NAFDAC collaborating through a formal Memorandum of Understanding to ensure such products meet both safety and quality benchmarks.
“We work closely with NBMA. Without their clearance—either through laboratory testing or document review—NAFDAC cannot authorize any GMO product,” Adeyeye emphasized.
Reiterating her commitment to food safety, the NAFDAC boss encouraged Nigerians to read food labels carefully, especially when dealing with genetically modified items. She noted that all GMO products approved in Nigeria undergo strict scrutiny before reaching the market.
“Our duty at NAFDAC is to make sure every food item we approve is safe, effective, and of good quality,” she said.
