The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has disclosed that, through its regulatory surveillance and compliance-monitoring mechanisms, it identified compliance abnormalities concerning the registration of four new transgenic cotton hybrid varieties in Nigeria – MIC 561 BGII, MIC 563 BGII, BIOSEED-FIYAH CH1001, BIOSEED-FIYAH CH1002.
The agency stated that subsequent verification established that the cotton varieties were registered by the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries on March 26, 2026, without the requisite approval of NBMA, as required under the National Biosafety Management Act 2015 (as amended).
Further findings confirm that confined field trials and related activities involving these transgenic varieties were conducted without prior authorisation, inspection, or regulatory oversight by the agency.
According to NBMA, at no time did it grant any approval for the confined field trials, multi-locational trials, or commercial release of the new GM cotton varieties.
“Under the NBMA Act, it is instructive to note that no person or institution is permitted to conduct confined field trials, multi-locational trials, or the commercial release of genetically modified organisms without the explicit approval of NBMA. Any action taken outside this framework constitutes a violation of national biosafety regulations,” the agency disclosed in a statement endorsed by Gloria Ogbaki, Head, Information and Public Relations.
It added that, in response to these issues highlighted, the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries has been directed to suspend any further action on the registration and release of these varieties pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
NBMA says it will apply all appropriate regulatory measures and sanctions as provided under the law, even as it assures all Nigerians that it is handling the matter with all seriousness.
“There is no evidence at this time of any immediate risk to public health or the environment and all necessary steps are being taken to ensure continued safety and regulatory integrity.
“The National Biosafety Management Agency remains committed to ensuring that all modern biotechnology activities in Nigeria are conducted in strict compliance with national laws and international best practices.
“The public will be kept informed as the investigations progress,” the agency declared