Business
Agency Allays Fears On GMOs
The National Biosafety
Management Agency (NBMA), has advised Nigerians not to panic over the introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) into the country’s food and farming system.
The Director-General of NBMA, Mr Rufus Ebegba, made this known when speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos.
Ebegba debunked reports in the media alleging that the agency had secretly issued two biosafety permits to Monsanto Agriculture Nigeria Limited to release genetically modified cotton and confine field trial of maize.
He said such reports were aimed at causing public panic; saying that the procedures for issuance of the permits must follow due process and in line with the requirements of United Nations Biosafety Clearing House.
He said, what is going on right now is a deliberate attempt to instil fear in Nigerians.
“Government has put in place all safety measures; we have a genetically modified organism detection laboratory with well-trained personnel.
“This agency is less than one year old and were it not for this agency, nobody will be talking about GMOs.
“The agency is established to ensure the safety of Nigerians as regards the use of GMOs and also the research that leads to their development.
“Before now, most people were not hearing about GMOs but the agency has brought it to the fore and it has become a national discourse,” he said.
According to him, the NBMA will not introduce GMO crops into the Nigerian market if such available researches show that they have adverse effect on the safety of the people and the environment.
He noted, there is no individual that can protect Nigerians more than the government and that is why government establishes this agency to ensure safety of humans and the environment is not compromised.
“The application that was granted was filed in October last year; it was put before the public through media by the agency for contributions from stakeholders. There was nothing secret about it.
“The effective date for the permit was May 1 and whether it is a public holiday or not, it has no effect on its validity,” he said.
He explained that since 2009, Nigeria had been receiving applications for biosafety permits.
Ebegba said that permits were granted to other Nigerian institutions such as the Institute of Agricultural Research and the National Feed Crop Research Institute.
“These experiments are still on the field under a very close watch that they are not of adverse effect to the environment and the Nigerian people.
“We have more than 22 agricultural research institutes that are doing research in bio-technology in Nigeria, so it will be of benefit to the country in future.
He further said, I want to assure Nigerians that there is nothing about the issue of being poisoned.
“Apart from that, GMOs have been in the market since 1996 and there is no doubt that they are already here in Nigeria.
“One thing I can boldly tell you, all those ones in the market have been tested and confirmed safe.
“South Africa has been on it for a very long time. Ghana and Burkina Faso are also on it.”
Ebegba said the agency was currently carrying out a survey of all GMOs that might likely have entered the country with the aim of mopping out those not good enough for the market.
“Payment of tuition fees for undergraduate/postgraduate studies shall be subject to a maximum limit of $25,000.00 per semester,” the Manual states.
The expansion of international card limits also reflects growing confidence among lenders that foreign exchange liquidity has improved enough to support retail dollar transactions.
Speaking recently at the BusinessDay 14th Annual CEO Forum in Lagos, CBN Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the CBN said buying and selling activities now increasingly determine outcomes in the foreign exchange market, unlike in the past when market participants relied heavily on routine Central Bank interventions.
According to Cardoso, Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves have risen from just over $3 billion at the start of the reform programme to more than $40 billion, while gross reserves have climbed to about $52 billion, providing stronger confidence for investors and enabling the Central Bank to reserve interventions for periods of market stress rather than day-to-day liquidity management.
The restoration and expansion of international naira card spending limits are increasingly being seen as one of the clearest signs that the benefits of the CBN’s foreign exchange reforms are beginning to reach households, students and businesses making legitimate cross-border payments.
The Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer, WEC, Dr Angela Wilkinson, disclosed this in a statement, last Thursday.
“Nigeria’s participation comes at a pivotal time as the country seeks to expand energy access, strengthen energy security, accelerate gas development and mobilise the capital required for industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
“WEC Nigeria will convene leaders from across the energy ecosystem, apply the WEC’s globally recognised Energy Trilemma framework to Nigeria’s unique context, and promote evidence-based dialogue, practical collaboration and informed policymaking.
“It will also ensure that Nigerian and broader African perspectives contribute meaningfully to global energy conversations,” she said.
Wilkinson expressed confidence that Nigeria would play a significant leadership role at the World Energy Congress scheduled for Riyadh in April 2027 and beyond.
The statement also quoted the Chairman of WEC Nigeria, Isa, as describing the country’s participation as an opportunity to deepen national and African leadership within the global energy community through practical solutions tailored to regional development priorities.
He said the platform would promote collaboration across sectors and attract sustainable investments into Nigeria’s energy sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of WEC Nigeria, Wunti, was quoted in the statement as saying that the council would connect leadership, evidence and investment to build a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.
“This system will be capable of driving economic growth and shared prosperity.”
According to him, the platform will also connect Nigerian institutions and businesses with international knowledge, technology, partnerships and investment opportunities through the World Energy Council’s global network.
Recall that WEC, founded in 1923, is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners, advancing informed, collaborative and practical action across the global energy system.