The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has ordered an immediate suspension of four new transgenic cotton hybrid varieties.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, by the agency’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Gloria Ogbaki, the regulator stated that the varieties, MIC 561 BGII, MIC 563 BGII, BIOSEED-FIYAH CH1001, and BIOSEED-FIYAH CH1002, were registered without mandatory biosafety approvals.
The agency is to rectify “serious compliance abnormalities” after discovering that the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties had cleared the seeds on 26 March 2026, bypassing the legal requirement for NBMA oversight.
The suspension underscores the ongoing tension surrounding the adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops, which are engineered for traits like pest resistance and improved yields.
While Nigeria is a leader in African biotech, the NBMA confirmed that the field trials for these specific cotton hybrids occurred without prior authorisation or inspection.
The agency stated, “At no time did the National Biosafety Management Agency grant any approval for the confined field trials, multi-locational trials, or commercial release of the new GM cotton varieties.”
Under the NBMA Act, any biotech activity conducted without explicit approval constitutes a violation of national regulations.
Concerns persist regarding the transparency of GM crop adoption, particularly following the 2024 approval of Tela maize and previous investigations into foreign-funded advocacy campaigns.
The NBMA has now directed the National Committee to halt all further action on these varieties pending a full investigation into the breach.
“The Agency will apply all appropriate regulatory measures and sanctions as provided under the law,” the statement added.
This move is seen as a significant step in addressing critics’ fears regarding weak regulatory enforcement and the potential risks to traditional farming systems.
Despite the suspension, the agency assured the public that there is currently no evidence of immediate risk to public health or the environment.
The NBMA reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all biotechnology activities in Nigeria align with international best practices and national laws.
The statement concluded, “There is no evidence at this time of any immediate risk to public health or the environment, and all necessary steps are being taken to ensure continued safety and regulatory integrity.”
The public will be updated as the investigation into the unauthorised registration progresses.
Source: Premium Times
