Senate Deputy Clerk, Njemanze, Seeks Science-backed Safeguards on GMOs

. US-based institute iName her country director in Nigeria

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja 

The Deputy Clerk (Administration) of the Senate, Dr. Vivien Njemanze, has called for science-driven safeguards in Nigeria’s adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), warning that innovation in food production must not outpace public health protections.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday after her investiture as Nigeria Country Director of the Centre for African American Research Studies (CAARS), Njemanze linked the growing national debate on GMOs to broader issues of nutrition, food safety and healthy ageing, insisting that evidence-based regulation should guide policy choices.

Her position comes amid intensified discussions over biotechnology as the country seeks to strengthen food security and agricultural productivity.

While supporters of GMOs argue that they enhance crop yields and resistance to pests and climate stress, critics continue to raise concerns about possible long-term health and environmental implications.

Njemanze, whose two books she co-authored with the Founding Director of CAARS, Professor Nnamdi Nwandu, was unveiled at the event, said the path forward must be anchored on rigorous scientific evaluation and effective regulatory oversight.

“I am not an authority in that respect,” she said, referring to GMOs. “But it is a sector that is being reviewed and worked on. Science is still doing its part, and I hope we are able to harness the best of it and mitigate the dangers that are associated with it.”

She stressed that what Nigerians consume has direct consequences for longevity and quality of life, making food standards and nutritional value issues of national importance. 

According to her, the debate over GMOs cannot be divorced from conversations about ageing and wellness.

She said,  “Ageing is a progression of the human cycle. It is something that must happen to everyone privileged to live long enough.

“There is need to make certain adjustments as we go through the seasons of life, including what we do and the food we eat.”

The Senate official advocated a holistic approach to wellness, encompassing diet, physical activity and mental well-being.

She said, “In propagating ageing and wellness, you incorporate certain lifestyles to help you carry the age that is setting in. 

“That includes the kind of food you eat. Exercise is also key. Joy, peace and faith also have roles to play,” she added.

Beyond the biotechnology discourse, Njemanze used the occasion to urge public servants, particularly staff of the National Assembly, to take preventive healthcare more seriously, citing the demanding nature of public service and recent losses within the federal legislature.

“We should take our health very seriously. Routine checks, exercise and community involvement are critical,” she said.

She advised lawmakers and civil servants to prioritise regular medical examinations, balanced nutrition and active lifestyles.

Earlier, Nwandu, said the organisation was established 16 years ago by five professors determined to move beyond theoretical discussions of development to practical engagement.

“Sixteen years ago, we came together and said we have talked so much about development. Let’s engage,” he said.

He disclosed that the Centre has since expanded its footprint to 16 countries with 279 fellows, noting that Nigeria had operated without a Country Director until Njemanze’s appointment.

“Today, we are here for two reasons. First, to formally admit Dr. Vivien Njemanze into the fellowship. Second, to formally install her as a Country Director,” he said.