The launch of transgenic TELA maize varieties in Nigeria by the Federal Government has sparked concerns, prompting the House of Representatives to call for a halt to GMO crops in the country pending an investigation.
The TELA maize, a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO), is designed to be more resistant to pests and yield higher produce. The Federal Government aims to close the national maize production deficit, estimated at six million tons annually, to ensure food security. Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ali Pate, assured that the ministry, guided by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), is committed to health-related policies and ensuring biotechnology products are safe.
The TELA maize initiative, led by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was developed by the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) at Ahmadu Bello University. The modified maize is drought-tolerant and resistant to fall armyworm, a pest that can devastate maize crops.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, stated that using 1.5 million hectares of Nigeria’s farmland to plant TELA maize could close the production deficit within three years, boosting national output to over 20 million metric tons and enabling exports of around two million metric tons annually. Increased maize production is expected to stimulate various sectors, create jobs, and drive rural development.
Despite government assurances, many remain concerned. Critics argue that GMO crops, such as TELA maize, are part of a Western agenda, led by figures like Bill Gates, aimed at economic exploitation and population control. They claim that GMOs are designed to cause sterility and diseases, reducing population numbers, and that GMO seeds force farmers to buy new seeds each season.
Dr. Sylvester Oikeh, TELA Maize Project Manager at AATF, dismissed these concerns as baseless, emphasizing that approved GM foods are considered safe by global organizations such as the WHO, FAO, EFSA, and Nigeria’s NBMA. He noted that countries like the USA, Argentina, Brazil, and South Africa successfully produce and export GM crops.
Dr. Oikeh highlighted that GM crops undergo rigorous health and safety research, ensuring they are safe for humans, livestock, and the environment. He reassured the public that the Nigerian authorities adhere to strict global standards when approving GM crops.
Professor Rabiu Adamu, Principal Investigator of TELA Maize at IAR, emphasized the health benefits of adopting TELA maize, such as reducing grain damage and pesticide use, thereby decreasing farmers’ exposure to hazards.
The debate continues, with the Federal Government and supporting institutions maintaining that GM crops like TELA maize are crucial for food security and economic growth, while critics call for more transparency and caution in adopting these technologies.
