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Nigeria’s steady progress in the adoption of genetically modified (GM) seeds is winning new converts among farmers and regulatory agencies, as TELA Maize and Pod-Borer Resistant (PBR) Cowpea continue to demonstrate strong yields and resilience under challenging conditions.
During a “seeing is believing” tour of GM farms in Abuja, organised by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) with support from the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), officials from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) saw firsthand the performance of the crops.
At his farm in Dei-Dei, Abuja, maize farmer Andrew Nanfwang shared how TELA maize transformed his harvest expectations. Previously plagued by Striga infestation, he had often resorted to planting groundnut interspersed with other crops to reduce losses. But after trying TELA maize, which a friend introduced to him, he was struck by the difference. “The produce was very impressive,” he said. “This year, I planted only maize. My farm is flourishing even though I only applied fertiliser once, while neighbouring farms that planted conventional maize have applied fertiliser four times and their crops are barely surviving.”
Similarly, at NBRDA’s headquarters demonstration farm, Dr. Charles Ogunremi praised PBR cowpea for its climate-smart traits and early maturity. He noted that even when planted off-season, the crop thrived despite drought and flooding.
Supporting his testimony, Dr. Rose Gidado, director of agricultural biotechnology at NBRDA, highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in cowpea production, noting that it remains the largest producer and consumer globally. She expressed confidence in local scientists, noting that over 45 countries, including the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Malawi, Kenya and Ghana, have embraced GM technology.
Gidado recalled that Nigeria became the first African nation to commercialise a food crop (PBR cowpea) in 2019, with only Ghana joining it so far.
For TELA Maize programme manager in Nigeria, Yarama Ndirpaya GM technology is about delivering practical solutions tailored to African farmers. He stressed the urgency of climate-resilient crops amid growing threats from drought, flooding and extreme heat. “The effort of AATF is to ensure African farmers can access technologies that improve productivity,” he said, adding that AATF works across 24 African countries to equip farmers with tools to withstand environmental stress and meet growing food demands.
The tour also sought to dispel misconceptions about GM crops. NOA’s deputy director for environment, climate and energy, Segun Alao admitted he had once been swayed by misinformation. “We heard claims that other seeds cannot be planted where GM seeds are cultivated, but being here has shown that’s false,” he said. “There is so much misinformation and that’s why more sensitisation is necessary. We at NOA are ready to partner with NBRDA to educate Nigerians because knowledge is power.”
For the farmers hosting the visitors, the message was simple: the technology works. The lush, pest-resistant maize and cowpea plots contrasted sharply with neighbouring fields struggling against weeds, pests and weather stress. The success stories echoed the potential of GM seeds to cut costs, reduce pesticide use, and increase yields, particularly for smallholders.
Gidado argued that embracing such technology was crucial for Nigeria to remain competitive in the global food economy. By trusting Nigerian scientists, she said, the country could solve pressing problems such as food insecurity while carving a place for itself as an agricultural innovator. Ndirpaya added that with proper training and access, farmers could translate higher yields into greater profitability and improved livelihoods.
As the tour ended, the consensus among participants was clear: GM technology, when properly regulated and understood, offers a viable path to strengthening food security in Nigeria. From resilient TELA maize standing tall against drought and disease, to PBR cowpea resisting pod borers and maturing quickly, the crops on display served as proof of the benefits of biotechnology. For both the farmers tilling the soil and the policymakers shaping the agricultural agenda, the promise of GMOs lies not just in science, but in the tangible gains they bring to the field.
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