A coalition of more than 70 organisations has called on the Lagos State House of Assembly to ban genetically modified organisms (GMOs), revoke existing approvals and investigate their long-term health and environmental implications.
The coalition, comprising scientists, farmers, food sovereignty advocates, environmentalists, nutritionists, women and youth groups, made the demand in a joint position paper submitted during an awareness rally in Lagos on Thursday.
The rally was organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Environmental Rights Action (FoEN/ERA), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Kebetcache Women Development and Resource Centre, and the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance.
The groups argued that the cultivation and use of GMOs could threaten Nigeria’s biodiversity, undermine farmers’ control over seeds and expose consumers and the environment to potential risks.
They expressed concern that cross-pollination from genetically engineered crops could contaminate indigenous plant varieties, while the transfer of toxins from crops such as Bt cowpea and Bt cotton could affect soil health and ecological balance.
The coalition also warned that patent restrictions on genetically modified seeds could force farmers to purchase seeds repeatedly, weakening the traditional practice of saving, reusing and sharing seeds and increasing dependence on multinational corporations.
HOMEF’s Director of Programmes, Joyce Brown, said opposition to GMOs was not peculiar to Nigeria, noting that several countries had adopted restrictions or bans on genetically modified crops.
She cited concerns about biodiversity as one of the reasons some countries had imposed restrictions, urging Nigerian authorities to examine the potential implications of GMOs for the country’s food system and environment.
Brown said the coalition wanted the Lagos Assembly to push for a ban, including the reversal of existing permits, and an extensive investigation into the long-term effects of GMOs.
She added that such a move would build on a 2024 motion by the House of Representatives seeking the suspension of GMOs and an investigation into approvals already granted.
According to her, action by Lagos could encourage other states to consider measures aimed at protecting local food systems, indigenous seeds and the environment.
Also speaking, molecular biologist and public health policy analyst, Dr Ifeanyi Casmir, urged Nigeria to adopt a precautionary, transparent and people-centred biotechnology policy.
Casmir cited what he described as potential allergenic, toxicological, reproductive and ecological risks, arguing that the country’s existing food system, biodiversity and public health challenges made it necessary to exercise caution.
He claimed that research had detected Cry toxins, used in genetically engineered crops to control insect pests, in the blood of pregnant women and umbilical cord blood, raising questions about possible fetal exposure.
An Associate Director at CAPPA, Olamide Martins, questioned the adequacy of Nigeria’s biosafety regulatory framework, saying more than 20 products had reportedly received approval since 2016 for purposes including commercial cultivation, food, animal feed and processing.
He argued that the absence of demonstrable long-term, independent risk assessments was a major concern, given the potential implications for public health, environmental safety and food sovereignty.
HOMEF Project Officer, Esele Ojeanelo, said the patent requirements associated with some genetically modified seeds could restrict farmers’ ability to retain and reuse seeds, undermining their independence and threatening indigenous crop varieties.
“A nation cannot secure its food future by surrendering control of its seeds, its biodiversity and its farming system to corporate control,” Ojeanelo said.
She called for policies that would protect farmers’ rights to preserve indigenous varieties and support locally rooted, sustainable agricultural practices.
Beyond the proposed GMO ban, the coalition urged the Lagos State Government to address insecurity that prevents farmers from accessing their farms and strengthen support for smallholder farmers through extension services, infrastructure and improved access to land and markets, particularly for women and young people.
The groups also called for increased investment in agroecology, which they said could strengthen local economies while promoting food security, biodiversity and farmers’ control over food production.
The position paper was endorsed by the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, which the organisers said comprises more than 70 organisations.
Michael Olugbode
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