By ABIGAEL JOSHUA

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has ordered the immediate suspension of new cotton varieties to forestall illegal activities of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) activities in the country.

This is contained in a statement issued by Dr Gloria Ogbaki, Head, Information and Public Relations, NBMA.

“NBMA wishes to inform the public of recent developments concerning the registration of four new transgenic cotton hybrid varieties in Nigeria – MIC 561 BGII, MIC 563 BGII, BIOSEED-FIYAH CH1001, BIOSEED-FIYAH CH1002.

“The Agency, through its regulatory surveillance and compliance-monitoring mechanisms, identified serious compliance abnormalities in these varieties.

“Subsequent verification established that the cotton varieties were registered by the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries on March 26, without the requisite approval of NBMA, as required under the NBMA Act 2015 (as amended).

“Further findings confirmed that confined field trials and related activities involving these transgenic varieties were conducted without prior authorisation, inspection, or regulatory oversight by the agency,” Ogbaki explained.

She added that at no time did NBMA grant any approval for the confined field trials, multi-locational trials, or commercial release of the new GM cotton varieties.

“Under the NBMA Act, it is instructive to note that no person or institution is permitted to conduct confined field trials, multi-locational trials, or the commercial release of GMOs without the explicit approval of NBMA.

She warned that any action taken outside this framework constitutes a violation of national biosafety regulations.

“In response to these issues highlighted, the Agency has directed the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries to suspend any further action on the registration and release of these varieties pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.

“The agency will apply all appropriate regulatory measures and sanctions as provided under the law.

“The NBMA assures all Nigerians that the matter is being handled with all due seriousness.

“The agency remains committed to ensuring that all modern biotechnology activities in Nigeria are conducted in strict compliance with national laws and international best practices,” Ogbaki said.

She assured that there is no evidence at the time of any immediate risk to public health or the environment and all necessary steps are being taken to ensure continued safety and regulatory integrity.

“The public will be kept informed as the investigations progress,” Ogbaki assured. (NAN)