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Summary
NAFDAC DG Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye has assured Nigerians that genetically modified foods are safe for consumption once certified to meet established safety standards through rigorous evaluation.
The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has assured Nigerians that genetically modified foods (GMOs) are safe for human consumption once they meet established safety standards.
There have been concerns that GMO foods may have some health risks, with some linking such foods to cancer. Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on July 7 2025, Prof. Mojisola addressed rising concerns over GMO consumption and regulation in the country.
“GMOs are genetically modified foods, and they are not bad for us,” she said. “It depends on the type of food and whether safety considerations have been addressed.”
According to her, the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) is primarily responsible for ensuring the safety of GMO products, while NAFDAC works in collaboration with them under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to certify their safety and quality.
“We collaborate with the biosafety agency. They are mandated to confirm that GMO foods are safe, of good quality, and effective. Without their certification, we cannot approve any GMO product,” she explained.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye also urged Nigerians to check food labels for GMO indications, assuring that approved products in the market undergo strict safety evaluations.
“I look at the label. I want to be sure that NAFDAC’s label is on it, or if I’m outside the country. Before my time in NAFDAC, when I had all the time, I would look at the label. And it’s supposed to have ‘genetically modified food’ written on it,” she said.
She noted that although NAFDAC has a role in monitoring and certifying food items consumed in Nigeria, other agencies in various states must get involved in ensuring Nigerians consume only safe foods.
Prof Mojisola assured Nigerians that all GMO products approved in the market undergo rigorous evaluation before being cleared for consumption.
“Our responsibility at NAFDAC is to ensure that any food we approve is safe, of high quality, and effective,” she added.
