For years, the mention of “GMO” in Nigeria has often stirred suspicion, heated arguments, and sometimes fear. The term itself—Genetically Modified Organisms—seems to trigger unease among many Nigerians who view it as some sort of scientific intrusion into nature. Opponents of the technology argue that GMOs are unsafe, unnatural, and potentially harmful to both humans and the environment. Supporters, however, insist that such fears are misplaced, born out of misinformation and decades of distrust rather than science.
In the middle of this tug-of-war between fear and fact lies the Nigerian farmer, struggling to feed a growing population amid rising costs, erratic weather, and relentless pest attacks. While critics of GMOs see them as an unnecessary gamble, evidence from research institutions and on-the-ground results suggests that biotechnology might, in fact, be one of the keys to solving Nigeria’s food insecurity crisis.
Let’s face it: Nigerian agriculture is at a crossroads. The old ways are no longer working. Yields are declining, pests are adapting faster than ever, and climate change is rewriting the rules of farming. It’s within this context that genetically modified crops enter the scene—not as a conspiracy, but as a response to a real and urgent problem.
One of the most common claims against GMOs is that they cause cancer. This notion has been debunked time and again by scientific authorities worldwide. No credible evidence has ever shown that GMOs are linked to cancer or any other diseases. Another persistent myth is that GMOs destroy the environment, yet data from global farming communities indicate otherwise. Genetically modified crops actually reduce pesticide use and soil erosion, making them better for the environment in the long run.
Reinforcing this scientific consensus, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has stated that genetically modified organisms—particularly in food—are not harmful to human health, provided that safety protocols are followed. Similarly, the Director-General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, has reaffirmed the safety and necessity of GMOs in addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges. According to him, GMOs are globally recognized as safe for both human health and the environment, and Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in adopting proven scientific innovations.
The claim that GMOs are “unnatural” and “playing God” also doesn’t hold water. Humans have been modifying plants for thousands of years—selecting, breeding, and reshaping crops to suit their needs. The only difference now is that science allows us to do it faster and more precisely. If anything, biotechnology is a continuation of what farmers have done for generations, but with better tools and a clearer understanding of genetics.
Perhaps the most damaging myth is the idea that GMOs are a plot to enslave Nigerians or control our food supply. This theory, popular in informal discussions and social media spaces, lacks any foundation in fact. Across Africa, countries like South Africa have embraced GM crops such as maize, soybeans, and cotton—reaping economic and environmental benefits. In one year alone, South Africa earned about $237 million from GMO cultivation. In total, over 18 million smallholder farmers in developing countries are now planting genetically modified crops, benefiting more than 65 million people through improved incomes and food security.
The idea that farmers cannot reuse GMO seeds has also been twisted out of proportion. Nigerian farmers have long used hybrid seeds, which are bought each planting season to maintain quality and yield. GMO seeds follow a similar pattern. The truth is, most farmers already prefer certified seeds because they produce more and are more reliable. And in many public sector-driven projects, such as the Water Efficient Maize for Africa initiative, farmers are even free to save and share seeds without any restrictions.
To further clear the air, Nigeria’s leading agricultural research institutions—such as the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), and the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC)—have publicly defended the safety of GMOs. They point to rigorous testing, multi-year trials, and global safety standards that every GMO must pass before reaching the Nigerian market.
Professor Rabiu Adamu of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria, highlighted local innovations like the Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea, which is genetically engineered to withstand destructive pests that previously forced farmers to spend heavily on insecticides. The result is not just higher productivity but also a cleaner environment and better livelihoods for rural farmers.
Dr. Mohammed Ahmad Yahaya of IAR Zaria explains it even more simply: “Farmers who used to spray insecticides up to eight times now spray just twice and still achieve higher yields. GM crops in Nigeria are designed to resist insects that would otherwise require multiple chemical sprays for control. This means less pollution and better health for farmers and consumers alike.”
One shining example of GMO success is the TELA maize project developed by IAR in collaboration with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF). The improved TELA maize varieties—SAMMAZ 72T, 73T, 74T, and 75T—are resistant to fall armyworm and stem borers and can tolerate drought. In on-farm studies, TELA hybrids produced an impressive 5.09 tons per hectare, compared to the 3.3 tons from regular maize.
These gains are not theoretical. They translate to real money. Farmers cultivating TELA maize earned ₦3.16 million per hectare, far above the ₦2.05 million from conventional maize. Pest attacks also dropped dramatically—from 86% in regular maize fields to just 22% in TELA maize. Pesticide use was cut nearly in half, saving farmers money and protecting the ecosystem.
As Professor Rabiu Adamu observed, “No TELA maize farms recorded damage beyond one-third of the crop, whereas some non-TELA plots suffered losses of up to two-thirds.” His colleague, Dr. Sylvester Oikeh, called TELA maize “a key step toward climate-resilient and profitable farming,” stressing that it delivers “higher output, lower input costs, and better environmental outcomes.”
For many farmers, the results speak louder than any laboratory report. One farmer summed it up best: “With TELA, I didn’t have to spray much, yet the harvest was better. It saved me time and money.”
In a country where over 200 million people depend on agriculture directly or indirectly, Nigeria cannot afford to let myths and fear derail technological progress. GMOs are not the enemy—they are a tool, one that can help the nation achieve food self-sufficiency, reduce rural poverty, and adapt to the realities of climate change.
The challenge now is for the media and policymakers to rise above misinformation and give Nigerians the facts. As the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) and AATF have repeatedly urged, journalists must lead this change by embracing science-based reporting rather than amplifying fear. The conversation on GMOs must move from emotion to evidence, from suspicion to understanding.
Nigeria stands at the edge of an agricultural revolution. Whether we embrace it or reject it will determine the future of our food security. The science is clear. The results are visible. What remains is for the public to open its mind to the truth—because the future of Nigerian agriculture might just lie in the very seeds we’ve been told to fear.