Nigerian President Bola Tinubu remained steadfast in supporting GMO seeds amidst the opposition of several groups to the approval of TELA maize in the country. The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) also reassured citizens that TELA maize is safe to use and consume.

On January 11, 2024, the Federal Government of Nigeria approved the open cultivation and commercial release of TELA maize. This development garnered mixed opinions from various stakeholders. In response to the criticisms of the opposition and to eliminate the concerns of Nigerians, the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) released a statement highlighting that the decision-making process was unbiased and transparent. “NBMA wishes to state here that the safety and health of Nigerians is of topmost priority and we will not compromise on this. The Agency has done a proper risk assessment and analysis to ensure this product's safety for human health and the environment,” the NBMA declared.

Two committees composed of experts and scientists from relevant agencies and academia conducted the review process for TELA maize. After a thorough review, TELA maize was shown to meet the safety standards and has no negative impact on health and the environment. NBMA also highlighted that TELA maize minimizes pesticide use while boosting productivity, which is favorable for human health.

Read the statement of NBMA for more information.