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Protect Our Health, Ban GMO Products, Civil Society Coalition Urges Government
By Our Correspondent
A coalition of civil society organizations has urged the government to impose an immediate ban on the consumption of genetically Modified Organism (GMO) products in the country. The group, citing health and environmental concerns, argued that GMO products pose a significant risk to human health and the environment, and therefore, should be prohibited.
The Coalition made the call at a sensitisation rally in Lagos on Friday, 13 December.
The group demanded a “complete ban on GMOs for planting, food production, and processing in Nigeria.
“A prohibition on imported processed foods containing bioengineered ingredients.
“Increased grants and deployment of extension officers to aid smallholder farmers.
“Nullification of all GMO permits granted without thorough and transparent risk assessments.
“Improved rural infrastructure to support farming communities.
“Investment in agroecology, organic farming, and other food production practices.”
The GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance noted, “We believe that addressing Nigeria’s food challenges requires a holistic and sustainable approach—one that tackles the root causes of food insecurity, empowers smallholder farmers who form the backbone of our agriculture and fosters biodiversity and environmental resilience.
“That the introduction of GMOs is not about solving hunger; it is about profiting for a few at the expense of the many.
“To address these concerns, we have launched a nationwide campaign against GMOs led by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF).
“This initiative is supported by a coalition of over 1,000 individuals and groups, including farmers, civil society organizations, scientists, nutritionists, legal practitioners, and youth movements.”
Many activists, including Comrade Gideon Adeyeni and Zikora Ibeh, policy and research lead at CAPPA, among others, were in attendance, calling on the president’s Tinubu-led government to prohibit the use and consumption of GMO products in the country to protect the environment and the health of citizens.
Ibeh said that the rally was basically to educate members of the public about the danger and possible impacts of the health hazards of GMOs in Nigeria.
According to the activist, “This rally is in direct response to the potential adoption of GMOs by Nigerian authorities as a “silver bullet” solution to our agricultural challenges.
“While we recognise the government’s intention to improve food security, we are not convinced that GMOs are the way forward due to the unresolved controversies surrounding their global use, including their potentially harmful effects on human health.
“The continued promotion of GMOs in Nigeria threatens our food sovereignty, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. If this trajectory continues, it risks becoming a costly and irreversible error.”
A sensitization rally was held recently, where members carried placards with bold messages, such as “No to GMOs,” “GMO is poison”, and “Food not poison”, among others. The protesters were united in their demand for a ban on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), citing concerns over their impact on human health and the environment.
