GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS IN NIGERIA: A long-lasting solution to hunger?

The application of biotechnology in the genetic modification of plants in food production has ledto the appearance of genetically modified foods (GMFs) in the marketplace. From inception, thesubject of GMFs food has been controversial. The use of biotechnology to enhance nutritionalvalue has raised a number of fundamental questions about genetically modified foods or plants allover the world. In spite of these controversies, GMF has been presented as the ultimate weaponagainst hunger in Africa, and other developing countries. While the world debates on whether ornot to endorse genetically modified food in most of Western Europe and give it the acceptance italready enjoys in the United States, we are totally oblivious of the fact that genetically modifiedfood has crept into Nigeria. Nigeria has been a recipient of food aid from countries like theUnited States, that are renowned for producing genetically modified foods. In 2004, Nigeria signeda Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States government agreeing to supportGM crops. Are GMFs really a good substitute for the natural and traditional foods? Are thebenefits of GM crops as strong as claimed by pro-biotech interests? If GM crops are safe,economically profitable, and environmentally friendly, why then has there been so much opposition,concern and controversy in recent years? If the scenario is so good, if so many millions of farmersand consumers are benefiting, if the increase in GM crops is so impressive, and if poverty,malnutrition and hunger have been alleviated in developing countries, why then have somegovernments imposed bans and why are consumers opposing those products in many places aroundthe world? Is there any substance in these arguments against GMFs? This paper discusses theseissues using Nigeria as a case study. We concluded that GMFs may not be the ultimate solution tohunger and poverty in a developing country like Nigeria.