Theodora O. Otasowie

Abstract Achieving food security has been a challenge for many nations in the world including Nigeria. Some researchers have expressed concerns about the capacity of traditional means of food production to meet the demands of world growing population in view of several snags such as diminishing land for agricultural use, soil degradation, and climatic conditions. Genetic modification involves changing the structure of living things’ genes to make it better for human use. Genetic modification is being explored as a way of enhancing food production, amongst other goals. Two schools of thought have emerged; one school supports Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) because of its perceived potential in enhancing food production and economic growth. The opposing school raises safety, health and cultural concerns. The debate lingers and dispassionate scientific research barely exists. There are regulatory mechanisms and policies to achieve food security through legal control of GMOs in Nigeria, but these need to be strengthened. Relying on analytical method of research, this paper examines safety procedures for the use of GMOs under relevant laws in Nigeria. The paper suggests amendments that would guarantee safety of genetically modified foods in Nigeria.