Farmers, civil society organisations and food sovereignty campaigners have staged a protest in Lagos, Nigeria, calling for stronger protection of indigenous seeds and greater investment in smallholder farming amid growing concerns over the commercial use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The demonstration took place on Thursday, 29 October, bringing together farmers, women leaders, youth groups and environmental activists at Ikeja Bridge before marching towards the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa.

Organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Corporate Accountability and Participation Africa (CAPPA), Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) and the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, the protest focused on what participants described as increasing corporate influence over Nigeria’s food system.

Carrying placards and chanting slogans including “GMOs will not address Nigeria’s food crisis”, demonstrators argued that genetically engineered seeds were not the solution to food insecurity.

Instead, they called for greater support for smallholder farmers, the preservation of traditional seed varieties and increased adoption of agroecology, which promotes sustainable farming practices and environmental protection.

Concerns over seed ownership and farmer independence

Campaigners said the growing use of genetically modified seeds could undermine traditional practices through which farmers save, exchange and pass down indigenous varieties.

They expressed concern that patented seeds could increase farmers’ dependence on commercial suppliers for successive planting seasons, potentially raising production costs and reducing control over agricultural decisions.

HOMEF organiser Joyce Brown questioned the long-term consequences of altering the genetic characteristics of crops, arguing that the potential effects required closer examination.

She also warned that cross-pollination between genetically modified crops and conventional varieties could threaten the preservation of indigenous seeds, including local cassava, cowpea and maize varieties.

The campaigners further raised concerns about the possible effects of genetically modified crops on soil conditions and the ability of traditional varieties to thrive. These were presented as concerns by the protesters rather than established findings.

Calls for independent health and environmental assessments

Public health was another central issue during the demonstration.

Molecular biologist and food policy analyst Dr Casmir Ifeanyi questioned whether Nigeria had sufficient independent, long-term research to assess the safety of genetically engineered crops and their potential health implications.

He raised questions about possible allergenicity, toxicity and changes in nutritional composition, as well as the potential effects of genetically modified foods on the human gut microbiome.

Ifeanyi also questioned whether Nigeria had adequate baseline health data to monitor long-term trends in chronic diseases alongside changes in dietary patterns.

The speakers called for comprehensive and independent assessments before further approvals and wider commercial adoption of genetically modified crops.

At the Lagos State House of Assembly, CAPPA representative Olamide Martins urged the state government to support restrictions on genetically modified crops and foods, arguing that public health and the interests of farming communities should take priority.

He also called for policies promoting agroecological farming and limiting what the coalition described as excessive corporate influence over the food system.

Petition submitted to Lagos lawmakers

The protesters urged the Lagos Assembly to support their demands and referred to a 2024 House of Representatives resolution that, according to the campaigners, called for a suspension of new GMO approvals pending comprehensive, independent risk assessments and clinical trials.

They also cited other countries, including Mexico, as examples of governments that have introduced restrictions on GMOs to protect indigenous crops and food sovereignty.

However, the delegation did not meet any legislators during its visit. Assembly security and administrative officials informed the group that the legislature was on recess until 9 November.

Officials acknowledged receipt of the coalition’s submission and advised representatives to send a formal reminder addressed to Speaker Mudashiru Obasa when plenary sessions resumed. The petition could then be referred to the relevant committees on agriculture and health.

The organisers said they intended to return with a formal letter setting out their concerns and demands.

The protest highlights the continuing debate in Nigeria over agricultural biotechnology, food security and farmers’ rights. At its centre is the question of how the country can improve agricultural productivity while safeguarding seed diversity, farmer independence and public confidence in food production.