The Director General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, has insisted that science and technology is the only way to progress in agriculture in the country.
He stated that with the spate of food insecurity and mounting pressures of climate change, Nigeria cannot afford to dismiss any safe, effective technology that might help secure the sustenance and wellbeing of the people.
The DG, while speaking at a sensitisation workshop for Islamic clerics organised by NABDA and the Open Forum for Agriculture Biotechnology (OFAB) on Sunday in Abuja, said the agency is committed to science communication by engaging various societal influencers, including legislators, the judiciary, traditional rulers, and faith leaders.
He explained that the engagement with Islamic clerics was intended to build trust and ensure clarity in public messaging about biotechnology.
Prof. Mustapha stressed that the use of modern agricultural technologies, including improved and genetically modified (GMO) seeds, can significantly address challenges such as climate change and low agricultural productivity.
“The technology brings a lot of benefits—it mitigates climate change, increases yields, creates wealth, and helps tackle drought conditions,” he added.
He also debunked allegations that adoption of GMOs means ceding of Nigeria’s food sovereignty to another country, saying, “There is no ceding of Nigeria’s food sovereignty to anyone. The seed companies are spread across the nation, and they are indigenous companies, so how do we cede our food sovereignty to another country?”
He stated that the agency has been sensitising seed companies to scale up the production of GMO seeds in the country, saying the availability of the seeds will further enhance affordability.
Prof. Abdullahi further warned farmers against replanting of grains, saying that to have profitable farming, farmers must rule out planting grains as grains will not produce high yields.
“GMO seeds or any other improve seeds will give high yield. However, when you keep using it yearly, the quality keep depreciating.”
Grain is not profitable. That is why many farmers are running away from agriculture—because it’s not profitable. Quality seeds give you a high yield while grain gives a lower yield.
The Director, Agriculture Biotechnology, NABDA, Dr. Rose Gidado, while emphasising the need for agriculture biotechnology, said the high population growth rate is driving extensive use of arable land for human habitation.
She added that the challenges of the 3Cs—that is, Climate change, Crop and Pest Diseases, as well as conflict—have further compounded the problem.
Gidado further highlighted the benefits of GM crops to include reduction of pesticide residue in food, reduced pesticide leaching into groundwater, as well as minimised farm worker exposure to hazardous products.
She also mentioned that researchers have realised that if a crop plant is genetically engineered to be resistant to a broad-spectrum herbicide, weed management could be simplified and safer chemicals could be used.
She further explained that since many plants are susceptible to diseases caused by viruses, which are often spread by insects, however, scientists have discovered new genetic engineering methods that can help provide resistance to viral disease.
She further revealed that genetically engineered crops can help achieve delayed ripening of crops, as it allows more time for shipment of fruit from the farmer’s fields to the grocer’s shelf, and increases the shelf life of the fruit for consumers.