From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
To accelerate food security and agricultural innovation, the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, has initiated a strategic partnership with the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), with plans under way to establish seed multiplication centres and expand access to approved improved crop varieties.
The governor stated this during a courtesy visit to the Director-General/CEO of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Bello Bawa Bwari, in Abuja.
Bago commended the Director-General for his leadership and the renewed direction of the agency, affirming the state government’s commitment to partnering with NBMA and relevant agricultural institutions to drive increased food production and innovation.
In a statement, the visit marked a significant step toward aligning Niger State’s agricultural transformation agenda with Nigeria’s national biosafety regulatory framework, particularly in the areas of food security, safe deployment of modern biotechnology, and access to improved seeds. In his remarks, the Director-General emphasised NBMA’s central role in enabling safe agricultural innovation through a science-based and enforceable regulatory system.
He noted that with the commercialisation of Bt cotton, Bt cowpea, and TELA maize, Nigeria is already witnessing tangible gains in yield improvement, pest control, and climate resilience, benefits that are especially critical for an agricultural powerhouse like Niger State.
Bwari further disclosed that NBMA is working closely with the Niger State Government and relevant partners to strengthen research collaboration in the state.
He described the initiative as a strategic intervention to ensure that farmers have timely access to quality, approved seeds while maintaining strict regulatory oversight.
The Director-General appreciated the governor’s visit and reiterated NBMA’s commitment to providing regulatory leadership that supports food security, food sovereignty, and sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria.
As part of the visit, the Director-General presented an award of recognition to Bago in acknowledgement of his exemplary leadership and contributions to advancing agricultural development and institutional collaboration. ENDS
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