A coalition of food system stakeholders has called on the Lagos State House of Assembly to ban genetically modified organisms (GMOs), citing concerns about their potential health, environmental and socio-economic effects.
The coalition made the call in a joint position paper presented during an awareness rally in Lagos on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
The rally was organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Environmental Rights Action, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, and the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance.
The groups warned that genetically modified crops could threaten Nigeria’s biodiversity through cross-pollination, contribute to soil degradation and increase farmers’ dependence on multinational corporations that control patented seeds.
They also raised concerns about possible health risks, including allergies, antibiotic resistance, birth defects and tumours, while calling for an independent investigation into the long-term effects of GMOs.
HOMEF’s Director of Programmes, Joyce Brown, said more than 30 countries have imposed partial or total restrictions on GMOs, with biodiversity protection among the reasons cited.
Brown urged the Lagos Assembly to ban GMOs, revoke existing approvals and investigate their potential health and environmental effects.
She said such a move could encourage other states to take similar action.
A molecular biologist and public health policy analyst, Dr. Ifeanyi Casmir, called for a precautionary, transparent and people-centred biotechnology policy, warning that any adverse effects on Nigeria’s food system, biodiversity and public health could be costly and difficult to reverse.
CAPPA Associate Director, Olamide Martins, also questioned the country’s biosafety regulatory framework, noting that more than 20 GMO products have been approved since 2016.
He called for independent, long-term risk assessments to protect public health, the environment and food sovereignty.
The coalition further urged the government to address insecurity affecting farmers, improve agricultural extension services, provide infrastructure and expand access to land and markets, particularly for women and young people.
It also called for increased investment in agroecology, which promotes farming practices that work with nature, protect local resources and strengthen food security.
The statement was endorsed by the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, which comprises more than 70 organisations.
Comments
Add a comment