The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, has dismissed claims that genetically modified organisms (GMOs), particularly in food, pose a health risk.

Speaking during a televised interview on Thursday, Adeyeye explained that GMOs are not harmful when proper safety procedures are followed. She noted that misconceptions around the topic are often due to a lack of understanding of how GMO foods are regulated and assessed.

“Genetically modified foods are not bad for us. What matters is the type of food and the safety protocols in place; as long as those considerations are taken seriously, there’s no cause for alarm,” she said.

Adeyeye highlighted the role of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) as the lead agency tasked with assessing the safety of GMO products in Nigeria. According to her, NAFDAC maintains a close working relationship with the agency to ensure public health remains a top priority.

“We have a Memorandum of Understanding with NBMA. They are the ones mandated to confirm that GMO foods are safe and of acceptable quality; without their approval, NAFDAC cannot give market authorization,” she explained.

Emphasizing her personal commitment to food safety, Adeyeye described herself as a “food freak” who always checks product labels before consumption. She said that GMO-containing products are required to be clearly marked, allowing consumers to make informed decisions.

“I’ve always been particular about what I eat, even before I became NAFDAC DG. If it’s genetically modified, it should say so on the label. That’s part of transparency,” she stated.