An estimated 36.3 million Nigerians faced acute food insecurity during the June-to-August 2026 lean season, as experts called for greater investment in biotechnology to improve agricultural productivity, tackle malnutrition and strengthen the country’s food supply.
The experts made the call at the fifth International Conference on Biotechnology for Food Security and Human Health in Abuja on Wednesday, where stakeholders highlighted the potential of scientific innovations to develop high-yielding, disease-resistant and nutrient-rich crops.
The conference comes amid persistent food security challenges in Nigeria, driven by insecurity, climate-related shocks, rising agricultural input costs, disruptions to food supply chains and economic pressures affecting farmers and consumers.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s September 2026 country brief, approximately 36.3 million people faced acute food insecurity during the lean season, underscoring the need for interventions that can improve food availability, affordability and nutritional quality.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, represented by the Secretary-General of the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, Dr Idowu Olagunju, said biotechnology had become increasingly important in addressing the combined challenges of food insecurity, population growth, climate change and emerging diseases.
“Traditional methods alone can no longer keep pace with these compounding problems and demands. So, biotechnology is the answer,” Alausa said.
He explained that biotechnology could help improve agricultural productivity, enhance the nutritional content of food crops and support the development of medical interventions, including vaccines and gene therapies.
The minister noted that genetically modified crops could be developed to withstand pests and diseases and improve yield potential, while biofortification could help address nutrient deficiencies among vulnerable populations.
However, he stressed that scientific discoveries would have limited impact without effective implementation, affordability and access to the communities that needed them most.
“The true power of scientific innovation does not lie within the walls of the laboratory. It lies in its application, accessibility, and scalability,” he said.
Alausa called for stronger partnerships among government institutions, research organisations, private enterprises, industries and civil society groups to increase research funding, strengthen regulatory frameworks and ensure that biotechnology innovations translate into practical solutions.
He urged participants to develop actionable recommendations that would support industries, improve food security and promote sustainable development across Nigeria and the African continent.
Speaking at the conference, the Foundation Executive Director of the International Centre for Biotechnology, Nsukka, Emeritus Professor Umezuruike Okpara, called for greater public understanding of genetic modification, arguing that the technology should be assessed based on its safety and application rather than misconceptions.
“The way we produce crops and what we eat now are not the same as what our grandparents had before. With scientific methodology, we can improve the quality of seeds. We can select those that grow taller and those that produce higher yields,” Okpara said.
He maintained that genetic modification was a tool that could support agricultural productivity, adding that Nigeria had a regulatory framework through the National Biosafety Management Agency to oversee modern biotechnology and genetically modified organisms.
“It’s just a tool,” he said, urging stakeholders to focus on the safe and responsible application of the technology.
Okpara also disclosed that six memoranda of understanding had been signed with institutions in Nigeria, South Africa and other African countries to strengthen research partnerships, share expertise and expand access to funding.
He said scientific institutions could achieve greater economic impact by pooling their resources, skills and competencies rather than operating independently.
“You cannot do science alone if you want to achieve the widespread economic impact you desire. You cannot do it alone,” he said.
According to him, the partnerships would encourage joint research and training programmes, collaborative grant applications and resource sharing among participating institutions.
He added that some of his research programmes had benefited from industry partnerships and collaborations with universities in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
The conference is also expected to strengthen capacity building and create opportunities for researchers and industry players to develop joint projects addressing food security, conservation of biological resources and tropical diseases.
Beyond developing improved crop varieties, stakeholders say biotechnology could contribute to reducing malnutrition through biofortification, which involves increasing the nutritional value of crops to address deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals.
Such interventions could complement existing nutrition programmes, particularly for vulnerable populations whose access to diverse and nutritious diets is constrained by poverty and rising food prices.
Biotechnology could also support the development of crops with improved resistance to pests and diseases, potentially reducing production losses and helping farmers cope with environmental pressures.
However, its contribution to food security will depend on farmers’ access to suitable technologies, affordable agricultural inputs, extension services, financing and reliable markets.
Insecurity, particularly in farming communities affected by armed attacks and displacement, remains another obstacle to agricultural production. Poor transportation networks, inadequate storage facilities and post-harvest losses also contribute to food shortages and higher prices.
Experts have therefore stressed the importance of integrating scientific innovation with broader agricultural reforms, improved infrastructure, effective regulation and policies that make food more accessible to consumers.
Nigeria enacted the National Biosafety Act in 2015, establishing a legal framework for regulating modern biotechnology and genetically modified organisms through the National Biosafety Management Agency.
The framework is intended to provide oversight for the use of modern biotechnology while safeguarding human health and the environment.
Nevertheless, wider adoption of biotechnology will require sustained investment in scientific research, transparent regulatory processes and public education to address concerns about genetically modified crops and their application.
The fifth International Conference on Biotechnology for Food Security and Human Health, organised by the UNESCO International Centre for Biotechnology in partnership with the Postharvest and Agroprocessing Research Centre of the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, began on Wednesday and is scheduled to end on Thursday.
The conference is being held ahead of World Food Day on October 16, which draws global attention to food security, nutrition and the need for sustainable food systems.
Participants are expected to explore ways of strengthening collaboration among researchers, policymakers and industry stakeholders to translate scientific discoveries into practical interventions that can improve agricultural production, food availability and public health.
