The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, states that genetically modified foods (GMOs) are not inherently harmful to human health, provided they comply with approved safety standards.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Adeyeye addressed growing public debate over GMO consumption and regulation in Nigeria.
“GMOs are genetically modified foods when it comes to food, and they are not bad for us,” she said. “They’re not bad for us, depending on what type of foods they are and whether the safety considerations have been taken.”
She explained that NAFDAC works closely with the National Biosafety Management Agency under a Memorandum of Understanding, ensuring that all GMO foods on the market are certified safe before approval.
“Without them certifying that they have done their due diligence in their laboratory or for desk review or whatever, we cannot approve,” she added.
Adeyeye, who described herself as a “food freak,” urged Nigerians to always check product labels for GMO indications. She reassured the public that only products meeting strict safety, quality, and efficacy criteria are approved for sale.
Her comments come amid heightened discussions over GMO safety and labeling in Nigeria, with advocates pushing for transparency and critics voicing health concerns.
