What’s Really Going On with GMOs in Nigeria?

If you’ve been paying attention to headlines or heated Twitter debates lately, you’ve probably noticed the growing buzz around GMOs in Nigeria. 

But behind all the noise, what’s actually happening? Why are genetically modified crops suddenly such a big deal here and should you be concerned? Let’s break it down.

What exactly are GMOs?

GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. It refers to any living thing, plant, animal, or microbe, whose genetic makeup has been deliberately altered by scientists in a lab. 

This isn’t the same as what farmers have done for generations through selective breeding. Instead of waiting for nature to pass down useful traits like juicier tomatoes or bigger cows, scientists now use techniques like recombinant DNA technology to create changes faster and more precisely.

Sometimes, that means introducing genes from completely unrelated species. For instance, inserting a bacteria gene into a plant to help it resist pests. 

The idea? Build crops that are tougher, more productive, and able to thrive even in difficult environments.

Genetic Modification vs. Selective Breeding

To be clear, humans have always modified food, just in slower ways. Selective breeding, also called artificial selection, has been used for centuries to improve crops and livestock. 

Nigerian farmers, for example, might plant seeds from only the healthiest yams or breed goats that give more milk.

Genetic modification is more direct and some say more dangerous because it bypasses natural limits. While selective breeding only shuffles genes within the same species, GMO technology often brings in foreign genes, creating traits that couldn’t evolve naturally.

GMOs are already around you

It may surprise you to learn that GMOs aren’t new. They’ve been part of modern life for decades. In agriculture, GMO crops like Bt corn or soybeans are planted to fight off pests without relying heavily on chemical insecticides. 

In medicine, GMOs are used to make insulin, vaccines, and other lifesaving drugs. Even scientific research depends on genetically altered lab animals to study diseases.

In short, GMOs are already woven into the global fabric of health, farming, and science.

How did they get to Nigeria?

Globally, GMO foods first hit supermarket shelves in the U.S. in 1994. Since then, their presence has expanded massively. By 2014, genetically modified crops were being grown on millions of hectares in countries like Brazil, Argentina, and India. A key attraction? 

Pest resistance and higher yields. For example, India’s Bt cotton led to bigger harvests and reduced crop damage from insects. In Nigeria, the government has now approved five GMO crops for cultivation:

• Cotton
  
• Cowpea
  
• Maize
  
• Soybean
  
• Wheat
  

These aren’t generic seeds either. They come under branded names like TELA Maize, HB4 Wheat, and Optimum GAT Soybean, all engineered to tackle specific farming challenges like pest control or drought.

What’s the controversy?

As with many scientific breakthroughs, not everyone is thrilled about GMOs.

There’s rising skepticism in Nigeria around how safe these modified crops are, especially with limited public education on the matter. 

Health experts have voiced concerns about the long-term effects on human health, with some alleging that GMOs could disrupt hormonal balance, weaken immune systems, or even increase cancer risks.

Environmentalists also worry about the impact on biodiversity, warning that tampering with crop genetics could have unpredictable consequences for Nigeria’s already delicate ecosystem.

In April 2024, Qrisstuberg Amua of the Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research cautioned that Nigerians had “every reason to be worried” about the approval of TELA maize, pointing to its potential risks to public health and ecological balance.

So Where Do We Go From Here?

That’s what we’ll cover in the next section.

Up next: How GMOs could shape Nigeria’s future food security—and why the debate is far from over.

Let me know when you’re ready for the next part.

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