(ABUJA, May 11, 2026) The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has doubled down on its core mandate: safeguarding Nigerians as the country advances in biotechnology.
NBMA’s Director-General, Fatima Suleiman-Zuntu, made this clear while receiving a delegation from the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in Abuja. She stressed that Nigeria’s push to strengthen food systems and security will not come at the expense of public health or environmental safety.
According to her, the Federal Government remains committed to empowering NBMA to lead and enforce robust regulation of biotechnology-driven initiatives across the country.
Dr. Zuntu, however, pointed to a persistent challenge: misinformation. She noted that anti-technology narratives have continued to distort public understanding and slow Nigeria’s full participation in the global biotechnology space.
“We will continue to ensure that the safety of Nigerians remains paramount as we deliver world-class regulation while exploring all options for food and nutritional security,” she said.
She also commended AATF’s role in driving agricultural innovation across Africa, calling for deeper collaboration to sustain Nigeria’s position as a leading biosafety regulator on the continent.
Earlier, AATF’s Executive Director, Canisius Kanangire—represented by Mr. Yarama Ndipaya—said the visit was to congratulate the new DG and reaffirm the partnership between both organisations. He urged continued alignment with global best practices in biosafety regulation.
Dr. Zuntu’s appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in April 2026 signals a renewed push to strengthen Nigeria’s biosafety framework. A public health expert and policy strategist, she is expected to reinforce NBMA’s mandate to regulate modern biotechnology while protecting both people and the environment.
About AATF: (www.aatf-africa.org)
Founded in 2003 to address Africa’s food security prospects through agricultural technology, AATF believes that the agricultural sector is a key foundational pillar as Africa consolidates its economic growth and carves out its new position as a major global economic powerhouse and the next growth market in the world. It was formed in response to the need for an effective mechanism that would facilitate and support negotiation for technology access and delivery, and formation of appropriate partnerships to manage the development & deployment of innovative technologies for use by smallholder farmers in SSA:
For further information. Photos and video contact:
Alex Abutu
Communication Officer (West and Central Africa), AATF.
+2348068701960 a.abutu@aatf-africa.org
