With rising population and shrinking farmland, Nigeria faces tough choices between tradition and biotechnology
By Ese Ufuoma
What if the maize you eat, the rice you cook, or the beans you plant were not exactly as nature made them? Would you still trust them on your plate?
At its core, a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is a plant, animal, or microorganism whose genetic makeup has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. In agriculture, this usually means inserting specific genes into crops to make them resist pests, tolerate drought, or grow faster. Scientists achieve this by using advanced techniques to introduce desirable traits, which can help farmers get better yields and reduce losses.
Supporters of GMOs argue that they could be a lifeline for Nigeria’s food security. With a rapidly growing population and increasing pressure on farmland, they say genetically modified crops can produce higher yields, resist destructive insects, and reduce the need for chemical pesticides.
In other countries, GMO maize and cotton have helped farmers cut costs and improve harvests. For instance, in parts of South Africa and the United States, farmers have reported improved productivity and reduced pesticide use thanks to GMO varieties.
Mr. Abel Adetunji, a plant scientist at Anchor University, Lagos, puts it this way: “We cannot keep farming the way we did fifty years ago and expect to feed two hundred million Nigerians. New technology, including GMOs, is part of the solution”.
However, critics remain cautious. Concerns range from potential health risks to the environment, as some fear long-term consumption of genetically modified foods may have effects yet to be fully understood. There are also worries about biodiversity, as GMO crops may outcompete local varieties and reduce the diversity of seeds available to farmers.
Moreover, the issue of corporate control raises strong emotions. Many fear that multinational companies producing GMO seeds could dominate Nigeria’s agricultural sector, leaving smallholder farmers dependent on costly seeds they cannot save or replant. For some, this is not just about science but about food sovereignty and cultural identity.
In Nigeria, the debate is far from silent. Some scientists and agricultural experts stress that GMOs can help tackle hunger and climate challenges if properly managed. Policymakers have also tried to strike a balance through regulation.
The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) plays a central role in approving and monitoring GMO products to ensure they are safe for human health and the environment. Yet, despite these frameworks, public scepticism remains strong, partly because of limited awareness and mistrust of both government agencies and foreign corporations.
On the ground, farmers are divided. While some are open to new technology that promises higher yields and lower costs, others prefer to stick with traditional seeds, fearing they may lose control of their farms and heritage. Civil society groups have also raised their voices, calling for caution and more transparent public dialogue before Nigeria commits fully to genetically modified agriculture.
The controversy over GMOs in Nigeria is not likely to end soon. What is clear, however, is that the decision goes beyond science alone. It is about the future of food, the well-being of communities, and the balance between innovation and tradition. For a country where agriculture remains the backbone of livelihoods, Nigeria must tread carefully, listening to both scientific evidence and the concerns of its people. Only then can the path forward secure food, respect culture, and build trust in the choices made for tomorrow’s farms.