Crops

The importance of clear labelling for GMO foods

NAFDAC assures GMO foods are safe, urges clear labelling.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food are not harmful if safety standards are met.

This assurance comes as public debates continue over the safety of GMOs in Nigeria. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director-General said, “GMOs are genetically modified foods when it comes to food, and they are not bad for us. They are not bad for us, depending on what type of foods they are and whether the safety considerations have been taken.”

Adeyeye emphasized the importance of proper labelling so that consumers can make informed decisions. “I’m a food freak. I want to know what I’m eating is going to give me a good health outcome. I look at the label. I want to be sure that NAFDAC’s label is on it… It’s supposed to have ‘genetically modified food’ written on it,” she said.

She also explained that NAFDAC works closely with the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), which is responsible for the safety oversight of GMOs in Nigeria. “We work in collaboration with the Biosafety Management Agency. We have an MoU with them. They are mandated to ensure that the foods that have GMOs are of quality, they are safe, and they are efficacious,” Adeyeye noted.

According to her, transparent labelling, similar to the way organic foods are marked, gives people the freedom to choose. “When you look at the food on the table in the market—especially grocery stores—you will see foods labeled organic. You put labels [on foods] that are not organic, and people have the choice to buy which one they want,” she said.

She added that NAFDAC can only approve GMO products after the NBMA has certified their safety. “That is the reason why the collaboration between us and the NBMA is very solid. Without them certifying that they have done their due diligence in their laboratory for desk review or whatever, we cannot approve.”

This statement comes after the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) recently emphasized the role of GMOs in fighting hunger and improving agriculture. Abdullahi Mustapha, the NBRDA Director-General, warned against misinformation: “False claims about GMOs have contributed to public skepticism and slowed down the adoption of technologies that can transform lives.”

Digital power meets African agriculture

AfDB's investments drive sustainable farming, improve productivity, and strengthen food security in Africa

The World Bank Group has joined the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa as a co-chair, supporting the initiative’s mission to deliver digital access to essential services for 100 million individuals and businesses across Africa by 2034

The Bank will serve alongside current co-chairs and founding members — the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard — combining efforts to expand the reach of critical digital solutions across the continent.

The MADE Alliance is prioritising opportunities in agriculture, recognising the sector’s potential for digital technologies to accelerate development. World Bank-supported “Digital Agriculture Roadmaps” will unite stakeholders in crafting tailored action plans for specific countries, enabling the alliance to reach more farmers with impactful solutions.

“The World Bank Group is deeply committed to expanding inclusive digital access across Africa and connecting farmers to the digital tools they need to reach markets, access finance, and grow their businesses. Joining the MADE Alliance will help accelerate both of these goals, driving economic growth and improving livelihoods across the continent,” said Sangbu Kim, vice-president for Digital at the World Bank. “By bringing together our digital and agriculture expertise, global knowledge, and local experience, we can help scale lasting, transformational impact.”

The World Bank Group formally joined the MADE Alliance in late April during the alliance’s Steering Committee meeting, held alongside the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.

“Two of the African Development Bank Group’s priority areas are to Feed Africa and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. The MADE Alliance: Africa brings us closer to achieving those goals by connecting the continent’s smallholder farmers to digital services that lead to greater food production, greater access to markets, financing and farming practices, as well as to increased incomes,” said Dr Beth Dunford, vice-president for Agriculture, Human and Social Development at the African Development Bank, which has committed US$300mn to the alliance’s first five years of programming. “The World Bank’s demonstrated expertise in the digital connectivity and agriculture sectors enables the MADE Alliance: Africa to reach more farmers eager to be part of Africa’s agricultural transformation.”

“The MADE Alliance brings complementary partners together to execute and implement programs that target the same regions and communities, allowing us to amplify our impact,” said Tara Nathan, founder and executive vice-president of community pass, Mastercard. “The World Bank brings enormous expertise in digital transformation and agriculture, and we are honored they have joined the alliance to deploy resources more efficiently and accelerate our work to help bring everyone into the digital economy.”

Ethiopia joined hands with Italy to transform agriculture sector

This partnership is seen as a strategic move to boost agricultural innovation.

The governments of Ethiopia and Italy has signed a partnership agreement in the agricultural sector.

Girma Amente, Ethiopia's minister of agriculture, and Italian Counterpart Francesco Lollobrigida signed the agreement on the margins of the United Nations Food System Summit, which is underway in Addis Ababa. The agreement is meant to further strengthen the existing cooperation between the two countries and gives focus on modernizing the coffee development value chain, it was learned.

Girma stated during the event that the agreement offers a significant opportunity to harness Italy's vast potential among European nations in the modernization of the agricultural sector.

Francesco Lollobrigida, Italian Minister of Agriculture, for his part, said the deal aims to transfer agricultural technologies.

Enhancing farming through global support

Federal Government’s commitment to boosting agricultural productivity through support for smallholder farmers.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to boosting agricultural productivity through support for smallholder farmers, particularly youth and women, by expanding access to funding and modern agricultural inputs.

Speaking during a meeting with the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Álvaro Lario, Shettima highlighted the Tinubu administration’s strategy to transform the sector from subsistence to commercial-scale production. “We are focusing on increased productivity, resilience, and commercialisation, not handouts,” the Vice President stated.

He added that part of Nigeria’s plan includes scaling up existing IFAD-backed initiatives to reach more rural communities across the country. The Vice President also held high-level bilateral meetings with the heads of other major international development organisations, including QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP).

In discussions with the FAO chief, Shettima emphasized the importance of reviving the Lake Chad region—once a hub of agricultural activity—now under threat from environmental degradation, climate change, conflict, and humanitarian crises. “The revival of the Lake Chad region, which is being threatened by multidimensional challenges such as environmental degradation, climate change, humanitarian crises, and conflict, requires a multi-pronged approach, development initiatives, conflict resolution, regional cooperation, and large-scale infrastructure,” Shettima explained. He urged FAO to play a central role in supporting Nigeria’s Green Revolution Project and efforts to promote all-year-round farming in the region.

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu commended the Tinubu administration’s political will, describing it as a “clear demonstration of committed leadership to transform Nigeria’s food systems.” He pledged enhanced FAO partnership and technical support. In a separate meeting with WFP’s Cindy McCain, Shettima expressed appreciation for the organisation’s ongoing humanitarian support in Nigeria. However, he reiterated the administration’s focus on long-term, sustainable solutions.

McCain responded by assuring WFP’s continued collaboration with the Nigerian government, especially in areas such as school feeding, nutrition, and support for displaced communities.

Navigate the new fertiliser procurement process

The procurement was carried out in partnership with the 23 local government councils.

In a bold move to strengthen food security and support farmers across the state, the Sokoto State Government has spent N5.3bn on the joint procurement of 105,800 bags of assorted fertilisers for the 2025 cropping season.

Ahmed Aliyu, Governor made the announcement on Wednesday at the official flag-off of subsidised fertiliser and agro-chemical sales held in Gwadabawa Local Government Area. The procurement was carried out in partnership with the 23 local government councils and includes NPK 20:10:10 and Urea fertilisers, which will be sold to farmers at a 40% subsidised rate NPK at N28,800 per bag and Urea (Indorama) at N29,800.

Aliyu also revealed that the government had procured 12,800 bags of improved seeds including Millet Super Sosat, Maize Hybrid, Cowpea, Sorghum, and Rice Faro 44, at a cost of N60mn, alongside herbicides and insecticides valued at N36.65mn.

He emphasised that the initiative aims to ensure timely access to quality inputs, improve productivity, and drive the transition toward mechanised farming in the state. As part of broader interventions, the governor disclosed that a contract worth N22.1bn has been awarded for the supply of 250 units of Massey Ferguson MF-375 tractors, while plans are underway to procure tiller machines to support smallholder farmers.

To boost year-round cultivation, Aliyu also announced the award of contracts for the rehabilitation of Lugu Dam and Kware irrigation facilities.While addressing farmers, he warned against the diversion of subsidised inputs and directed security agencies to ensure strict monitoring and enforcement.

He explained that the state had adopted a subsidised sales model instead of free distribution to avoid past abuses and guarantee that support reaches genuine farmers. “This model guarantees that support reaches those working on the farms,” Aliyu stated.

Present at the event were Chiso Dattijo, former deputy governor and Chairman of the Fertiliser Sales Committee; Muhammad Alkali, Commissioner for Agriculture; and Ibrahim Adare, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The Sultan of Sokoto was represented by Dr Jabir Kilgori.

Also in attendance were prominent political and traditional figures including Senator Aliyu Wamakko, Speaker of the House of Assembly Tukur Bodinga, APC State Chairman Isa Achida, lawmakers, and other top government officials.

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