Thousands Protest GMOs In Nigeria, Demand Agroecology

Abuja, Nigeria – Thousands of Nigerians took to the streets across ten states on Friday, demanding a nationwide ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and a shift towards agroecological farming practices.

The massive protests, organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, saw farmers, civil society organizations (CSOs), scientists, nutritionists, legal and medical professionals, women’s groups, and youth converging in Rivers, Edo, Katsina, Plateau, Oyo, Lagos, Cross Rivers, Enugu, Jigawa states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The rallies involved advocacy visits to state government houses and relevant ministries, expressing deep concerns over the deployment of GMOs in Nigeria.

Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of HOMEF, argued that GMOs are not the solution to food insecurity, claiming they hinder local economic growth by fostering dependence on corporate seed suppliers.

He cited a report from the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN), stating that GM cotton yields have not significantly increased over the past four years, and that the use of GM seeds has led to soil degradation and loss of biodiversity. Farmers reported that no other plants would grow in the soil where GM cotton had been planted.

Bassey further criticized the inability of farmers to replant GM seeds, forcing them into continuous purchases from corporations – a practice he labeled neo-colonialism.

Ifeanyi Nwankwere, National Coordinator of the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, highlighted the lack of GMO labeling in Nigeria, arguing that the current socio-economic context makes effective labeling impossible. He also criticized the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), citing flaws in its regulatory system, including a lack of strict liability provisions, inadequate consideration of the precautionary principle, and insufficient public participation in decision-making.

Nwankwere pointed to the NBMA board’s composition, which includes key GMO promoters, creating a potential conflict of interest.

Mariann Bassey-Orovwuje, Deputy Director at Environmental Rights Action, drew attention to international examples of GMO bans, including Russia, Mexico, Uganda, and over 20 other countries.

She referenced Mexico’s recent ban on GMO corn, citing environmental concerns, and highlighted a South African Supreme Court ruling that criticized the approval of Monsanto’s drought-resistant maize due to insufficient safety assessments.

HOMEF’s Director of Programmes revealed a survey conducted in 2018, 2019, and 2023, uncovering over 50 imported packaged food products containing GM ingredients in Nigerian markets.

She also expressed concern over potential health risks associated with GMOs, citing a study showing organ damage in rats fed GMO soy. She noted the lack of comprehensive long-term safety testing by the NBMA.

The coalition’s unified demands include a complete ban on GMOs – in food, food processing, and packaged foods – the nullification of existing permits due to inadequate risk assessments, and substantial investment in agroecology to ensure food security, sovereignty, and economic strengthening.