The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has clarified that genetically modified foods, commonly referred to as GMOs, are not inherently dangerous to human health provided they meet established safety protocols.
She made this assertion during an appearance on Channels Television on Thursday, at a time when public discussions on GMO consumption and regulation in Nigeria continue to stir debate.
Speaking on the growing concerns around GMO products, Adeyeye emphasized that not all genetically modified foods pose health risks. According to her, their safety largely depends on the type of food and whether comprehensive safety assessments have been conducted.
“GMOs are genetically modified foods when it comes to food, and they are not bad for us,” she said during the interview. “They’re not bad for us, depending on what type of foods they are and whether the safety considerations have been taken.”
She went on to explain that the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) is the statutory body tasked with ensuring the safety of GMO products entering the Nigerian market. NAFDAC, she noted, works closely with NBMA under a Memorandum of Understanding to evaluate and certify the quality of such products.
“We work in collaboration with the biosafety management agency. We have an MOU with them. They are mandated to ensure that the foods that have GMO are of quality, they are safe, and they are efficacious. Without them certifying that they have done their due diligence in their laboratory or for desk review or whatever, we cannot approve,” she said.
Identifying herself as a “food freak,” Prof. Adeyeye stressed the importance of consumers being aware of what they consume. She advised Nigerians to pay close attention to food labeling, particularly where GMO content is concerned. She also assured the public that all NAFDAC-approved food products undergo rigorous testing and quality checks before being released into the market.
“For NAFDAC, our goal is to ensure that the food we approve for the market is safe, has quality, and is efficacious,” she added.
Her remarks come as the debate around GMOs in Nigeria grows increasingly polarised, with advocates urging for more openness in labeling and regulation, while some critics continue to question the long-term health implications of genetically modified foods.
What you should know
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye’s position reflects NAFDAC’s official stance that GMO foods are not harmful if properly assessed and approved.
The agency’s collaboration with NBMA ensures that all safety checks are conducted before such products reach consumers, reinforcing efforts to balance food innovation with public health assurance.
