Experts, activists rally in Ibadan, warn against health risks of GMOs

A coalition of organic farming advocates and agroecologists staged a peaceful rally in Ibadan, Oyo State, to protest the growing adoption of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria.

The demonstrators, led by GMO Free Nigeria and the Organic and Agroecology Initiative (ORAIN), described GMOs as a threat to public health and food systems, demanding their immediate ban across the country.

The rally, which took place at key locations in Ibadan, culminated in the submission of a petition to the Oyo State House of Assembly.

The petition was received by Bayo Olaniyan, Chief of Staff to the Speaker. Protesters criticized the federal government’s approval of genetically modified beans, maize, and cotton, as well as the associated herbicides such as glyphosate-based products like Roundup, which they claim exacerbate health risks.

Professor Olugbenga Adeoluwa, a soil fertility expert at the University of Ibadan and leader of the movement, warned against the unchecked adoption of GMOs in Nigeria. He argued that scientific studies have increasingly linked GMO consumption to severe health challenges.

“We say no to the incursion of these negative scientific innovations into our food systems,” Adeoluwa stated. “Research findings have shown clear correlations between GMO food consumption and human diseases, such as cancer, hormonal disruptions, and organ failure. Test animals exposed to GMO foods have displayed inflammatory responses in critical organs, which are cause for concern regarding human health.”

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Adeoluwa further emphasized the dangers of biosecurity lapses, arguing that once genetically modified crops infiltrate food systems, they are difficult to control or reverse.

“There is no guarantee that the introduction of GMOs into our food systems can be curtailed. What we want is safe, healthy, and indigenous food options, not a compromise to our health.”

Dr. Mojisola Oyewole, a senior lecturer at the University of Ibadan, echoed these sentiments during the rally, emphasizing the irreversible impacts of GMOs on public health.

“The effects of GMOs on human health are non-negotiable. We are here to amplify the concerns of scientists, farmers, and everyday Nigerians. We need food systems that nourish our bodies, not compromise our well-being,” Oyewole said.

Chief Moshood Salimonu, a farmer from Akinyele Local Government Area, rejected claims that GMOs were necessary for solving food insecurity. He argued that sustainable, organic practices offer healthier and long-term solutions.

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“GMO is not the answer to food security or good nutrition. As farmers, we see the long-term benefits of indigenous seeds and organic farming methods. I want my children to grow up healthy, eating food that does not harm them,” Salimonu explained.

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Oluwafemi Adebayo, a representative from the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, also spoke against the introduction of GMOs, highlighting their potential socio-economic and environmental impacts.

“GMOs may look promising on the surface, but the costs are too high. Beyond health risks, they affect biodiversity and disempower local farmers who cannot afford patented seeds or chemicals,” Adebayo said.

The group urged Nigerians to adopt organic farming practices, including compost and natural manure, which they described as safe and sustainable alternatives. Adeoluwa encouraged the use of indigenous seeds and breeds resistant to diseases and environmental stressors, advocating for local solutions that preserve health and the ecosystem.

The rally in Ibadan reflects a growing movement across Nigeria resisting the expansion of GMOs. Health experts and agroecologists argue that Nigeria must prioritize food sovereignty and public safety over corporate agricultural interests.

As debates over GMOs intensify, experts stress the need for stricter regulatory oversight and transparent, independent research on the long-term impacts of genetically modified crops on human health and the environment.

The protest sends a strong message to policymakers: Nigerians demand a return to sustainable, indigenous agricultural practices that prioritize health and food security.