A coalition of over 70 organisations has urged the Lagos State House of Assembly to ban Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), revoke existing approvals and investigate their long-term implications.
The coalition, made up of scientists, farmers, food sovereignty advocates, environmentalists, nutritionists, women and youth groups, made the call in a joint position paper presented during an awareness rally in Lagos.
The rally was organised by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Environmental Rights Action (ERA/FoEN), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre and the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance.
The groups warned that GMOs threaten biodiversity, erode farmers’ control over seeds and expose consumers and environment to risks.
They said cross-pollination from GM crops could contaminate indigenous varieties, while toxins from Bt cowpea and Bt cotton could harm soil health and ecological balance.
They also warned that patent restrictions would force farmers to repurchase seeds every planting season, undermining the traditional practice of saving, reusing and sharing seeds and increasing dependence on multinationals.
HOMEF Director of Programmes, Joyce Brown, said opposition to GMOs is global, noting several countries have imposed restrictions over biodiversity concerns. She urged Lagos to push for a ban, reversal of permits and thorough investigation.
She said Lagos action would build on a 2024 House of Representatives motion seeking suspension of GMOs and probe of approvals, and could encourage other states to protect local food systems and indigenous seeds.
A Molecular Biologist and Public Health Policy analyst, Dr. Ifeanyi Casmir, called for a precautionary, transparent and people-centred biotechnology policy.
He cited potential allergenic, toxicological, reproductive and ecological risks, arguing Nigeria’s food system and public health challenges demand caution. He claimed research had detected Cry toxins used in GM crops in blood of pregnant women and umbilical cord blood, raising fetal exposure concerns.
CAPPA Associate Director, Olamide Martins, questioned Nigeria’s biosafety regulatory framework, saying over 20 products have been approved since 2016 for commercial cultivation, food, feed and processing without demonstrable long-term independent risk assessments.
HOMEF Project Officer, Esele Ojeanelo, said patent requirements restrict farmers’ seed rights and threaten indigenous varieties.
“A nation cannot secure its food future by surrendering control of its seeds, its biodiversity and its farming system to corporate control,” she said.
Beyond banning GMOs, the coalition urged lagos government to tackle insecurity stopping farmers from accessing farms, support smallholders with extension services, infrastructure, land and market access, especially for women and youths.
They called for more investment in agroecology to strengthen local economies, food security, biodiversity and farmers’ control over food production.
The position paper was endorsed by the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, which organisers said comprises over 70 groups.