The Director-General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Professor Abdullahi Mustapha, has called on Nigerians to embrace science and biotechnology if the country wants any real progress in agriculture.
Speaking at a workshop for Islamic clerics in Abuja on Sunday, Mustapha said it is time to stop debating ideology and start applying practical solutions that work. The event was organised by NABDA in partnership with the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB).
According to him, “Nigeria cannot afford to ignore any safe and effective technology, especially now that climate change and food insecurity are getting worse. Biotechnology is not just about science. It’s about survival.”
Mustapha said the agency is engaging faith leaders, lawmakers, traditional rulers, and the judiciary to help build public understanding and trust around the use of modern agricultural tools, including genetically modified (GMO) seeds.
“These technologies help farmers grow more food with fewer losses. They improve crop yields, reduce pressure on the land, and even create wealth for rural communities,” he said.
He rejected claims that GMOs threaten Nigeria’s food sovereignty. “There is no foreign control here. Most of the seed companies are Nigerian-owned. So how are we losing our food independence?” Mustapha asked.
He explained that GMO seeds are being produced locally, and once supply improves, prices will drop, making it easier for more farmers to access quality inputs.
He also issued a warning to farmers who recycle grains from old harvests instead of planting improved seeds. “Grain is not seed. It gives poor yield. That’s one of the reasons farming has become so unprofitable for many small-scale farmers.”
Backing his position, NABDA’s Director of Agricultural Biotechnology, Dr Rose Gidado, said rising population and land pressure make it even more urgent to use science wisely.
She pointed to the so-called ‘3Cs’ affecting farming in Nigeria: climate change, conflict, and crop diseases. According to her, biotechnology offers a way forward.
“Genetically modified crops reduce the need for harmful pesticides, improve food safety, and can even make food stay fresh longer,” she said.
Gidado also noted that scientists are now using genetic engineering to help crops resist viral infections, many of which are spread by insects. This, she said, could save farmers from heavy losses and reduce reliance on chemical treatments.
She concluded by saying Nigeria cannot feed its growing population with outdated methods. “Biotech is not magic. It’s science. And it’s time we stop fearing it and start using it.”
