The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, has said that genetically modified organisms, used in food production are not harmful to human health, as long as they meet required safety standards.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Adeyeye explained that the safety of GMOs largely depends on the type of food and whether the appropriate protocols have been followed during its development and approval.
“GMOs are not inherently dangerous. What matters is the kind of food involved and the extent to which safety measures have been taken,” she said.
She clarified that the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) plays a lead role in regulating the safety of GMO foods in Nigeria, while NAFDAC complements their efforts through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both agencies.
“We have an MoU with NBMA. They are responsible for certifying that the foods containing GMOs are safe and of good quality. Without their clearance, we cannot grant approval,” she noted.
Prof. Adeyeye, who described herself as a “food freak,” emphasised the importance of transparency in food labeling. She said she always checks product labels before consumption to ensure that the food items meet health standards and bear the NAFDAC seal.
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“I want to be certain that what I eat contributes positively to my health. Even before I became DG, I’ve always checked labels, and if it’s genetically modified, it should be clearly stated,” she said.
The NAFDAC boss also stressed that while consumers are free to choose between organic and non-organic foods, the agency’s core responsibility is to ensure that all food products available in the Nigerian market are safe, effective, and of acceptable quality.
“Our mandate is clear—every food we approve must be safe and of high quality. That’s why our collaboration with NBMA is very strong. They handle biosafety, and we handle food safety. We cannot approve a GMO product unless they confirm due diligence has been done,” she said.
Adeyeye reiterated that both agencies work hand in hand to maintain food safety standards in the country and urged Nigerians to read food labels and be conscious of what they consume.