Nigeria
Latitude
9.0820N
Longitude
8.6753E
Overview
Nigeria spans tropical rainforest to Sahel savannas. Approximately ~40% of land is arable, supporting cassava, yam, maize, sorghum, cowpea, groundnut, rice, cocoa, and oil palm. Major imports include wheat and rice; major agricultural exports include sesame, cashew, and cocoa. Three GM crops are commercially approved: Bt cotton (African bollworm-resistant), Bt cowpea (pod borer-resistant), and GM maize (TELA – insect-resistant, drought-tolerant).
GM Crops Planted
Maize, Cotton, Cowpea
Hectarage
Area (ha) under GM Crops
Year: 2024
Total Area Under Cultivation: 2,500 Hectare(s)
GM Crops with Food, Feed and Processing (FFP) Approvals
Wheat, Soybean
Terms & Acronyms
Food, Feed or Processing (FFP)
Genetically Modified (GM)
Note
Commercial Release / General Approval cover Food/Feed Processing approval.
The approval decision on this site are only post 2015.
Biosafety Laws, Regulations
& Guidelines
NATIONAL BIOSAFETY MANAGEMENT ACT
2015
National Biosafety Management Authority (NBMA)
Website: https://nbma.gov.ng/function/
Nigeria’s national biosafety framework is built on a comprehensive legal and regulatory foundation, including the National Policy on Biotechnology 2001, which guides the safe and strategic use of biotechnology for national development being implemented by the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA). Nigeria’s biosafety policy, regulatory, and institutional framework is anchored in the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) Act, 2015 as amended, which establishes the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) to regulate GMOs and ensure environmental and human health safety. The framework aligns with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and includes key regulations such as the Biosafety (Genetically Modified Organisms) Regulations, 2017, which sets out procedures for applications, risk assessments, approvals, and monitoring of GMOs for food, feed, processing, and environmental release. Institutional oversight involves the Federal Ministry of Environment for policy coordination, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for GMO food safety, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), and the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) among others.
GM Commercial Crops
Genetically Modified (GM) Crops Approvals in Nigeria
This section summarizes the Food, Feed or Processing (FFP) only, the Commercial Release or General (which imply production, commercialization and FFP),
and the Field Trials approvals for each crop. The approval’s decisions reported on this site only go back to 2015.
and the Field Trials approvals for each crop. The approval’s decisions reported on this site only go back to 2015.
Soybean
| Event Code | Trade Name | Traits | Developer | Date of Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dicamba Tolerant Soybean | Herbicide resistant soybean | Monsanto/ Bayer CropScience | 2018-06-22 | |
| Soybean modified for herbicide tolerance | Herbicide resistant soybean | Bayer CropScience | 2018-06-22 | |
| Optimum™ GAT™ soybean | Herbicide resistant soybean | Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. | 2018-06-22 | |
| Insect resistant soybean | Insect resistant soybean | Monsanto Canada Inc. | 2018-06-22 | |
| Roundup Ready2Yield™ soybean | Herbicide tolerant soybean | Monsanto/Bayer CropScience | 2018-06-22 | |
| Enlist E3™ Soybean | Herbicide tolerant soybean | Dow AgroSciences | 2018-08-06 | |
| Herbicide-tolerant soybean | Herbicide tolerant soybean | BASF S.A. | 2018-08-06 | |
| Soybean with modified fatty acid composition | Soybean with modified fatty acids composition | Monsanto/Bayer CropScience | 2018-08-06 | |
| Vistive Gold™ Soybean | Modified metabolite content (Fatty acids and lipids) and herbicide tolerant soybean | Monsanto/Bayer CropScience | 2018-08-06 | |
| Optimum™ GAT™ soybean | Herbicide tolerant soybean | Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. | 2018-09-26 | |
| Dicamba Tolerant Soybean | Herbicide tolerant soybean | Monsanto | 2018-09-26 | |
| Soy modified for tolerance to Mesotrione and Glufosinate | Herbicide tolerant soybean | Syngenta Seeds GmbH | 2019-12-20 | |
| Soy modified for tolerance to glyphosate and HPPD inhibitors | Herbicide tolerant soybean | Bayer CropScience LP | 2018-08-06 | |
| Liberty Link™ soybean | Herbicide tolerant soybean | Bayer CropScience | 2018-08-06 | |
| Roundup Ready™ soybean | Herbicide tolerant soybean | Monsanto/ Bayer CropScience | 2018-08-06 |
No Commercial Release Crops at the moment
Field trial data not yet recorded for this entry
Wheat
| Event Code | Trade Name | Traits | Developer | Date of Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drought-tolerant wheat (HB4 wheat) | Drought tolerant wheat | INDEAR S.A. | 2022-07-13 |
No Commercial Release Crops at the moment
Field trial data not yet recorded for this entry
Maize
| Event Code | Trade Name | Traits | Developer | Date of Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agrisure® Duracade™ Maize | Insect resistant maize | Syngenta Seeds GmbH | 2018-06-22 | |
| Droughtgard™ Maize | Drought tolerant maize | Monsanto Canada Inc. | 2018-06-22 | |
| Maize modified for tissue selective glyphosate tolerance | Herbicide tolerant maize | Monsanto/Bayer CropScience | 2018-06-22 | |
| Herculex™ RW Rootworm Protection maize | Insect resistant, herbicide tolerant maize | Dow AgroSciences | 2018-06-22 | |
| Herculex™ I maize | Insect resistant, herbicide tolerant maize | Dow AgroSciences | 2018-06-22 | |
| Liberty Link™ maize | Herbicide tolerant maize | Bayer CropScience | 2018-06-22 | |
| Agrisure™ RW Rootworm-Protected maize | Insect resistant maize | Syngenta | 2017-12-13 | |
| Agrisure™ Viptera maize | Insect resistant maize | Syngenta Crop Protection AG | 2017-12-13 | |
| Herculex™ I maize | Insect resistant, herbicide tolerant maize | Dow AgroSciences | 2017-12-13 | |
| Roundup Ready™ maize | Herbicide tolerant maize | Monsanto/Bayer CropScience | 2017-12-13 | |
| YieldGard™ maize | Insect resistant maize | Monsanto/Bayer CropScience | 2017-12-13 | |
| Roundup Ready™ maize | Herbicide tolerant maize | Monsanto/Bayer CropScience | 2017-12-13 | |
| YieldGard™ maize | Insect resistant, herbicide tolerant maize | Syngenta | 2017-12-13 | |
| Genuity® VT Double Pro™ Maize | Insect resistant, herbicide tolerant maize | Monsanto Europe S.A. | 2018-10-18 | |
| Enlist™ Maize | Herbicide tolerant maize | Dow AgroSciences GmbH | 2018-10-18 | |
| YieldGard™ Rootworm™ maize | Insect resistant maize | Monsanto/bayer CropScience | 2018-10-18 | |
| Insect resistant herbicide tolerant maize | Insect resistant, herbicide tolerant maize | Syngenta (Novartis (Ciba-Geigy)) | 2019-12-20 |
| Event Code | Trade Name | Traits | Developer | Date of Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TELA® Maize | Insect resistant, abiotic stress tolerant maize | Bayer CropScience | 2021-10-08 |
Field trial data not yet recorded for this entry
Cotton
NO FFP Only Approvals
| Event Code | Trade Name | Traits | Developer | Date of Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bollgard II™ cotton | Insect resistant cotton | Monsanto/Bayer CropScience | 2016-05-01 |
Field trial data not yet recorded for this entry
Cowpea
NO FFP Only Approvals
| Event Code | Trade Name | Traits | Developer | Date of Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pod Borer-resistant cowpea | Insect resistant cowpea | AATF and Institute of Agricultural Research | 2019-01-22 | |
| Cowpea resistant to maruca pod borer | Insect resistant cowpea | African Agriculture Technology Foundation (AATF) | 2023-04-27 |
Field trial data not yet recorded for this entry
More Crops
Importation Regulatory Snapshot for
GM Food, Feed, or for Processing
4,100,000.00 NGN
Within 270 days
Labelling, monitoring and stewardship.
4% Labelling threshold; No LLP policy
Application Process for GM FFP
Import Permit
- The applicant, which can be a research institution, a seed company, or any organization interested in introducing a GM product for FFP use, must submit an application and dossier to the NBMA.
- The application dossier should include comprehensive information about the GM crop, its intended use, safety data and evidence of payment of application fees. The applicant is expected to pay permit fees as well. The application can be done online or paper-based.
- Within 21 days of application, NBMA is expected to issue an acknowledgment of receipt of the application to the applicant. Applicants can engage in pre-submission consultations with the NBMA, especially as it relates to gene-edited products. This allows applicants to seek guidance on the preparation of their application and understand the requirements and expectations of the NBMA.
- Immediately after the application is adjudged complete, NBMA places an advert in 2 national dailies for 21 days to receive comments and inputs from the Public.
- The NBMA conducts a technical review of the application. This is where an ad-hoc National Biosafety Committee (NBC) and a National Biosafety Technical Sub-committee (NBTS) are constituted to review the application/dossier. The Review involves a thorough assessment of the information provided, including data on the GM crop’s characteristics, potential risks, and safety measures.
- During the application process, NBMA may conduct a public consultation process to gather input and feedback from stakeholders and the public on the proposed importation of the GM Products for FFP. This ensures transparency and allows for public participation.
- Taking into consideration the recommendations of the NBC and NBTS, the DG/CEO of the NBMA makes a decision on whether to approve or reject the application within 270 days of application, in compliance with extant rules and regulations.
- The decision is based on scientific evidence, case-by-case basis and compliance with biosafety regulations.
- Where NBMA approves the application, it issues a biosafety permit to the applicant for three years which is renewable.
- The permit specifies the conditions, restrictions, and safeguards especially the labelling, monitoring, stewardship etc that must be followed during the release and use of the GM crop for FFP. There are no separate permit conditions for technology providers/commodity users except for Gene registration.
Cowpea
| Approval | Traits | Developer | Date of Approval | Trade Name | Event Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Release | Insect resistant | AATF | 27 Apr 2023 | Cowpea resistant to Maruca pod borer | AAT-7Ø9AA-4 × AAT-Ø245F-3 |
| Field Trials | Insect resistant | Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Agriculture and Food | 13 Feb 2023 | Bruchids-resistant cowpea | N/A |
| Field Trials | Insect resistant | AATF/Institute of Agricultural Research | 22 Jan 2019 | Cowpea resistant to Maruca pod borer | AAT-7Ø9AA-4 |
| Field Trials | Insect resistant | AATF | 26 Sep 2018 | Cowpea resistant to Maruca pod borer | N/A |
Soybean
| Approval | Traits | Developer | Date of Approval | Trade Name | Event Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | Syngenta Seeds GmbH | 20 Dec 2019 | Soy modified for tolerance to Mesotrione and Glufosinate | SYN-ØØØH2-5 |
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | Monsanto | 26 Sept 2018 | Dicamba Tolerant Soybean | MON-877Ø8-9 |
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. | 26 Sept 2018 | Optimum™ GAT™ soybean | DP-356Ø43-5 |
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | Monsanto/ Bayer Crop Science | 06 Aug 2018 | Roundup Ready™ soybean | MON-Ø4Ø32-6 |
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | Bayer Crop Science | 06 Aug 2018 | Liberty Link™ soybean | ACS-GMØØ6-4 |
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | Bayer Crop Science | 06 Aug 2018 | Soy modified for tolerance to glyphosate and HPPD inhibitors | MST-FGØ72-2 |
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | BASF S.A. | 06 Aug 2018 | Herbicide-tolerant soybean | BPS-CV127-9 |
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | Dow AgroSciences | 06 Aug 2018 | Enlist E3™ Soybean | DAS-444Ø6-6 |
| FFP | Modified metabolite content and herbicide tolerance | Monsanto/Bayer Crop Science | 06 Aug 2018 | Vistive Gold™ Soybean | MON-877Ø5-6 |
| FFP | Modified fatty acids composition | Monsanto/Bayer Crop Science | 06 Aug 2018 | Soybean with modified fatty acid composition | MON-87769-7 |
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | Bayer Crop Science | 22 Jun 2018 | Soybean modified for herbicide tolerance | MST-FGØ72-2 × ACS-GMØØ6-4 |
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | Monsanto/Bayer Crop Science | 22 Jun 2018 | Dicamba Tolerant Soybean | MON-877Ø8-9 |
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | Monsanto/Bayer Crop Science | 22 Jun 2018 | Roundup Ready2Yield™ soybean | MON-89788-1 |
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. | 22 Jun 2018 | Optimum™ GAT™ soybean | DP-356Ø43-5 |
| FFP | Insect resistance | Monsanto Canada Inc. | 22 Jun 2018 | Insect resistant soybean | MON-877Ø1-2 |
| Field Trials | Herbicide tolerance | N/A | 14 May 2018 | Glyphosate-tolerant soybean | N/A |
Cassava
| Approval | Traits | Developer | Date of Approval | Trade Name | Event Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Trials | Increased starch yield, elevated photosynthesis, and ACMV resistance | IITA | 26 Oct 2022 | Cassava modified for increased starch yield, elevated photosynthesis, and ACMV resistance | N/A |
| Field Trials | Nutritional enhancement | National Root Crops Research Institute, Nigeria | 15 Jul 2019 | Viral resistant cassava with increased levels of zinc and iron | N/A |
| Field Trials | Enhanced starch content | IITA | 11 Feb 2019 | N/A | |
| Field Trials | Reduced starch metabolism | Livia Stavolone | 22 Sept 2017 | Cassava modified for reduced starch metabolism | N/A |
Wheat
| Approval | Traits | Developer | Date of Approval | Trade Name | Event Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FFP | Drought tolerance | INDEAR S.A. | 13 Jul 2022 | Drought-tolerant wheat (HB4 wheat) | IND-ØØ412-7 |
Potato
| Approval | Traits | Developer | Date of Approval | Trade Name | Event Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Trials | Late blight resistance | National Root Crops Research Institute, Nigeria | 03 Jun 2022 | Late blight-resistant Diamant potato | N/A |
| Field Trials | Late blight resistance | National Root Crops Research Institute, Nigeria | 03 Jun 2022 | Late blight-resistant Victoria potato | N/A |
| Field Trials | Late blight resistance | National Root Crops Research Institute, Nigeria | 03 Jun 2022 | Late blight-resistant Shangi potato | N/A |
| Field Trials | Late blight resistance | National Root Crops Research Institute, Nigeria | 03 Jun 2022 | Late blight-resistant Tigoni potato | N/A |
| Field Trials | Late blight resistance | National Root Crops Research Institute, Nigeria | 03 Jun 2022 | Late blight-resistant Jalene potato | N/A |
| Field Trials | Late blight resistance | National Root Crops Research Institute, Nigeria | 03 Jun 2022 | Late blight-resistant Desiree potato | N/A |
Maize
| Approval | Traits | Developer | Date of Approval | Trade Name | Event Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FFP | Insect resistance, herbicide tolerance | Syngenta (Novartis (Ciba-Geigy)) | 20 Dec 2019 | Insect resistant herbicide tolerant maize | SYN-ØØØ98-3 |
| FFP | Insect resistance | Monsanto/Bayer Crop Science | 18 Oct 2018 | YieldGard™ Rootworm™ maize | MON-ØØ863-5 |
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | Dow AgroSciences GmbH | 18 Oct 2018 | Enlist™ Maize | DAS-4Ø278-9 |
| FFP | Insect resistance, herbicide tolerance | Monsanto Europe S.A. | 18 Oct 2018 | Genuity® VT Double Pro™ Maize | MON-89Ø34-3 × MON-ØØ6Ø3-6 |
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | Bayer CropScience | 22 Jun 2018 | Liberty Link™ maize | ACS-ZMØØ3-2 |
| FFP | Insect resistance, herbicide tolerance | Dow AgroSciences | 22 Jun 2018 | Herculex™ I maize | DAS-Ø15Ø7-1 |
| FFP | Insect resistance, herbicide tolerance | Dow AgroSciences | 22 Jun 2018 | Herculex™ RW Rootworm Protection maize | DAS-59122-7 |
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | Monsanto/Bayer CropScience | 22 Jun 2018 | Maize modified for tissue selective glyphosate tolerance | MON-87427-7 |
| FFP | Drought tolerance | Monsanto Canada Inc. | 22 Jun 2018 | Droughtgard™ Maize | MON-8746Ø-4 |
| FFP | Insect resistance | Syngenta Seeds GmbH | 22 Jun 2018 | Agrisure® Duracade™ Maize | SYN-Ø53Ø7-1 |
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | Monsanto/Bayer Crop Science | 13 Dec 2017 | (G21) Roundup Ready™ maize | MON-ØØØ21-9 |
| FFP | Insect resistance | Monsanto/Bayer Crop Science | 13 Dec 2017 | YieldGard™ maize | MON-ØØ81Ø-6 |
| FFP | Herbicide tolerance | Monsanto/Bayer Crop Science | 13 Dec 2017 | (NK603) Roundup Ready™ maize | MON-ØØ6Ø3-6 |
| FFP | Insect resistance, herbicide tolerance | Dow AgroSciences | 13 Dec 2017 | Herculex™ I maize | DAS-Ø15Ø7-1 |
| FFP | Insect resistance | Syngenta Crop Protection AG | 13 Dec 2017 | Agrisure™ Viptera maize | SYN-IR162-4 |
| FFP | Insect resistance | Syngenta | 13 Dec 2017 | Agrisure™ RW Rootworm-Protected maize | SYN-IR6Ø4-5 |
| FFP | Insect resistance, herbicide tolerance | Limagrain Iberica | 01 May 2016 | Maize modified for insect resistance and herbicide tolerance | N/A |
| Commercial Release | Insect resistance, abiotic stress tolerance | Bayer Crop Science | 08 Oct 2021 | TELA® Maize | MON-8746Ø-4 × MON-89Ø34-3 |
| Field Trials | Insect resistance, abiotic stress tolerance | Bayer Crop Science | 04 Nov 2019 | TELA® Maize | MON-8746Ø-4 × MON-89Ø34-3 |
Cotton
| Approval | Traits | Developer | Date of Approval | Trade Name | Event Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Release | Insect resistance | Monsanto/Bayer CropScience | 01 May 2016 | Bollgard II™ cotton | MON-15985-7 |
Biosafety Laws, Regulations & Guidelines
Has Biosafety Laws?
Title of Biosafety Law
Year of Enactment
National Competent Authority
Application Procedure
Country Status
Has Biosafety Laws?
Yes
Title of Biosafety Law
NATIONAL BIOSAFETY MANAGEMENT ACT
Year of Enactment
2015
National Competent Authority
National Biosafety Management Authority (NBMA)
Website: https://nbma.gov.ng/function/
Application Procedure
Nigeria’s national biosafety framework is built on a comprehensive legal and regulatory foundation, including the National Policy on Biotechnology 2001, which guides the safe and strategic use of biotechnology for national development being implemented by the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA). Nigeria’s biosafety policy, regulatory, and institutional framework is anchored in the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) Act, 2015 as amended, which establishes the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) to regulate GMOs and ensure environmental and human health safety. The framework aligns with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and includes key regulations such as the Biosafety (Genetically Modified Organisms) Regulations, 2017, which sets out procedures for applications, risk assessments, approvals, and monitoring of GMOs for food, feed, processing, and environmental release. Institutional oversight involves the Federal Ministry of Environment for policy coordination, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for GMO food safety, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), and the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) among others.
Country Status
GM Commercial Crops
Navigate & Discover Everything About GMOs
Langauge
Yes
Does the country plant GM crops?
2015
Since
No. of GM Crops Species
