FG commits to transparency in biosafety collaborations

The Federal Government, through the Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has restated its commitment to transparent collaborations to increase the nation’s biosafety in step with rising biotechnology trends and to develop a culture of responsible bio-innovation.

Lawal stated this at International Biosafety Conference 2024, held in Abuja, with the theme “Biosafety: An Indispensable Tool for Achieving Food Security, Health Improvement and Environmental Sustainability.”

He said, “We use this Conference to re-engineer our commitment to transparent collaborations for strengthening the Nigerian biosafety system through holding high of our science-based risk assessments, enhancing transparency, encouraging informed public participation, strengthening regulatory frameworks, investing in capacity building in line with the emerging trends in biotechnology and fostering the culture of responsible bio-innovations.”

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Environment through NBMA will continue to prioritise safety in biotechnology sector by ensuring that any biotechnological innovations and products such as genetically modified organisms meet safety standards in the country’s regulatory frameworks.

He noted that technology has also shown potentials for environmental sustainability through reduction in the use of pesticides for agriculture among many others.

“Let me therefore reiterate that we all should bear in our minds that as we deepen our knowledge of biosafety and proffer recommendations for strengthening biosafety in Nigeria, they must be geared towards our belief in the Federal Ministry of Environment that ‘Biosafety is our safeguard’ and through this safeguard, we aim to foster an environment where biotechnology enhances, rather than compromises biodiversity taking into account risks to human health,” he noted.

According to him, “For our dear nation Nigeria, with a rapidly growing population, climate-related challenges like insecurity, flooding and drought and an ever-expanding agricultural sector, balancing innovation in biotechnology with the preservation of our rich biodiversity and the safety of human and animal health is paramount because we take serious actions in ensuring effective implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety through the National Competent Authority for Biosafety in Nigeria; the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).”

In her opening remarks, the Director General of NBMA, Dr Agnes Asabgra, said the conference provides a platform to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and collaborate across disciplines.

“We are privileged to welcome a diverse group of experts, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners who are united by a common goal to ensure that our biosafety practices not only protect human health but also promote sustainability is a collective effort, adding that stakeholders must make significant strides in enhancing biosafety practices globally.

“Over the next two days, we will engage in thought-provoking discussions, participate in workshops, and hear from leading voices in the field. I encourage each of you to take full advantage of this opportunity to connect with your peers, challenge conventional wisdom, and explore innovative solutions to the pressing biosafety challenges we face,” she said.

The chairperson, local organising committee Mrs Hauwa Tahir Ahmed, said the conference aligns with the agency mandate to promote public awareness on Biosafety matters in Nigeria to ensure the safe deployment of modern biotechnology and its products in Nigeria.

Highlight of the event is the presentation of awards of excellence to five persons who have contributed to the growth of the agency, including the former Director-General of NBMA, Dr Rufus Ebegba.

The conference is to bring regulators and scientists together for vital information sharing on NBMA’s role and its mandate to regulate biotechnology in Nigeria.

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