NATIONAL BIOSAFETY MANAGEMENT AGENCY ACT 2015

What Is This Policy?

An Act establishing the National Biosafety Management Agency (NABMA) to regulate the development, production, importation, and release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their derived products in Nigeria, giving effect to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

Who Does It Target?

Agricultural biotechnology companies and research institutions Importers of GMO commodities and food ingredients Farmers growing biotech crops NABMA as the competent national authority

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

To ensure that the introduction and use of GMOs in Nigeria is safe for human health and the environment, provide a transparent and science-based regulatory process for approving GMO applications, and implement Nigeria's obligations under the Cartagena Protocol.

Key Features

GMO Approval Process: All GMOs must receive NABMA approval based on risk assessment before commercial use. Contained Use: Regulates laboratory and greenhouse work with GMOs under contained conditions. Environmental Release: Field trials and commercial releases require separate approval processes and post-release monitoring. Labelling of GMO Products: Products derived from approved GMOs must be labelled for consumer information. Liability and Redress: Establishes liability provisions for damage caused by unapproved GMO releases.

Current Status

In force. NABMA is fully operational and has been issuing biosafety permits for GMO field trials and commercial releases, including for Bt cowpea, making Nigeria one of the first African countries to commercially approve a GMO food crop.

Submit a permit application with risk assessment data to NABMA Comply with biosafety requirements for transport, handling, and labelling Engage with NABMA's public consultation process during the approval review Application method: NABMA headquarters, Abuja

Important Terms

Unapproved commercial cultivation of GMO crops is a criminal offence Importers must obtain a permit before each consignment of GMO commodities NABMA may order recall or destruction of unapproved GMO products

Official Resources

Website: www.nabma.gov.ng Policy Summary Document | Federal Republic of Nigeria

Legal Framework

The National Biosafety Management Agency Act 2015 establishes NBMA as the regulatory body for modern biotechnology and biosafety. It domesticates Nigeria's obligations under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity. It operates alongside the NAFDAC Act, the Environmental Impact Assessment Act 1992, and the National Agricultural Policy. The Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress provides additional international context.