NBMA Orders Immediate Suspension of New GM Cotton Varieties
The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has issued a public alert regarding the registration of four new transgenic cotton hybrid varieties in Nigeria. The varieties in question are MIC 561 BGII, MIC 563 BGII, BIOSEED-FIYAH CH1001, and BIOSEED-FIYAH CH1002. Through its rigorous regulatory surveillance and compliance-monitoring mechanisms, the agency identified serious compliance abnormalities associated with these genetically modified organisms.
Unauthorized Registration and Trials
Subsequent verification by the NBMA 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, 2026. This registration occurred without the requisite approval from the NBMA, as mandated under the National Biosafety Management Act 2015, as amended. Further investigations confirmed that confined field trials and related activities involving these transgenic varieties were conducted without prior authorisation, inspection, or regulatory oversight by the agency.
The NBMA has explicitly stated that at no time did it grant any approval for the confined field trials, multi-locational trials, or commercial release of these new GM cotton varieties. Under the NBMA Act, it is strictly prohibited for any person or institution to conduct such activities without explicit approval from the agency. Any actions taken outside this legal framework constitute a clear violation of national biosafety regulations, potentially compromising safety standards.
Regulatory Response and Ongoing Investigations
In response to these highlighted issues, the NBMA 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. This suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of ongoing investigations into the compliance breaches. The agency has affirmed its commitment to applying all appropriate regulatory measures and sanctions as provided under the law to address the violations.
The NBMA assures all Nigerians that it is handling the matter with utmost seriousness and diligence. At this time, there is no evidence of any immediate risk to public health or the environment from these varieties. All necessary steps are being taken to ensure continued safety and regulatory integrity within Nigeria's agricultural and biosafety frameworks. The agency emphasizes its role in safeguarding national interests through strict adherence to established protocols.
