Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr. Agnes Asagbra has said that the agency is ready to upgrade its technology in order to continue to be top biosafety and biotechnology regulatory body on the continent.
Asagbra, who addressed a press conference yesterday on achievements of the agency in recent time, said Nigeria’s biosafety processes are on par with, if not ahead of, those in other African countries like Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa.
She said the agency has received international recognition for its robust regulatory framework, which serves as a model for biosafety and biotechnology regulation across the continent.
“These countries also have robust biosafety regulations but our biosafety system still ranks high because of the top notch international standard that is applied.
“For instance, Kenya has been at the forefront of GMO research and commercialisation in Africa, with its National Biosafety Authority approving the environmental release of cotton. Similarly, South Africa has been growing GMO crops since 1997 and has a well-established regulatory system.”
“We are top here in Africa but not ready to rest on our oars. We want to upgrade on our technology in order to be on top of our trade.”
“The Biosafety Law in Nigeria is more than just legislation; it’s a commitment to the nation’s sustainable future. It ensures that as Nigeria harnesses the benefits of modern biotechnology, it does so responsibly, with the utmost regard for the health of its people and the environment,” she added.
She noted that the establishment of the NBMA has led to the development of biosafety frameworks of international standards, including a GMO detection and analysis laboratory, national biosafety policies, and regulatory instruments.
“These measures have positioned Nigeria as a leader in biosafety regulation in Africa, influencing other countries’ biosafety practices,” she added.
