Nigeria, March 14 -- An environmental activist and a public health advocate have questioned the transparency and effectiveness of Nigeria's biosafety regulator's oversight regarding the safety and regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

The environmental and health experts, who both work with the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), say the regulatory framework overseen by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has failed to adequately address fundamental issues surrounding the safety, environmental impact, and economic implications of genetically modified crops being introduced into Nigeria's food system.

In a joint statement forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES on 9 March, the environmental activist, Nnimmo Bassey an...