***FG Dismisses GMO Safety Fears, Rallies Support for Science-Driven Health Policies
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to using biotechnology as a catalyst for transforming healthcare delivery in the country. He also dispelled persistent public fears over the safety of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), urging Nigerians to embrace the scientific advancements that biotechnology offers.
Speaking at a sensitization workshop on Biotechnology and Biosafety held Tuesday at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, Dr. Salako described biotechnology as “a critical pillar” for achieving better health outcomes and boosting national development.
“Biotechnology opens doors to innovative diagnostics, therapeutics, immunotherapy, regenerative medicine, and the production of vaccines using recombinant DNA technology,” he said. “This is how we can improve maternal and child health, tackle endemic diseases, and enhance the overall quality of life.”
He stressed that Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in a world rapidly advancing in scientific innovation, especially when it comes to addressing malnutrition, disease burden, and the need for a more robust healthcare system.
Responding to skepticism surrounding GMO safety, the Minister was unequivocal: “More than 2,000 scientific studies conducted over the past 30 years confirm that GMO foods are as safe as conventional ones—and in some cases, even safer.”
Dr. Salako cited strong scientific consensus from global institutions including the US National Academy of Sciences and the Union of German Academies of Sciences and Humanities. He also referenced the 2012 joint statement by 110 Nobel laureates affirming the safety of biotech crops.
“Critics must bring peer-reviewed evidence, not fear. We are committed to policies based on facts, not fiction,” he stated.
Reiterating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Minister highlighted the government’s ambition to transform Nigeria into Africa’s “
