The National Biosafety Agency has announced its plans to integrate advanced digital tools such as QR codes, blockchain technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) into its genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
The announcement was made by Dr Ugo Onyekwelu, South-West Zonal Director of the Biosafety Agency, at the 11th Regional Food Science and Technology Summit hosted by the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology in Lagos on Thursday, June 26, 2025.
According to Dr Onyekwelu, the adoption of these technologies is set to increase operational efficiency, and support evidence-based decision-making in the management of GMOs and broader biosafety practices across the country.
Digitising Biosafety: AI, Blockchain, and QR Codes in the Pipeline
Dr Onyekwelu stated that the Biosafety Agency is accelerating efforts to incorporate digital innovations into its workflow to better respond to the complexities of emerging biotechnologies.
“It addresses the intentional release of harmful pathogens and the misuse of microorganisms,” Dr Onyekwelu said. “The regulatory process for GMOs takes eight to ten years of rigorous scientific analysis to ensure safety for human health, animals, and the environment.”
She added that QR codes would be used to simplify product verification by consumers, customs officials, and regulators, especially at ports of entry and in local markets.
The aim, she said, is to allow users to scan and instantly verify the approval status and safety profile of GMO products.
Call for Stronger Food Tech Policies
In her remarks, Mrs Taiwo Ubani, Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee of the summit, called on government regulators to fast-track the development of robust policy frameworks for emerging food technologies such as GMOs and 3D food printing.
Ubani stressed the importance of not just technology adoption, but also moderation and proper processing in ensuring food safety.
Using cassava as an example, she noted that traditional high-cyanide varieties have been made safer through biotechnological interventions by institutions like the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
What This Means for Nigerians
The Biosafety Agency’s adoption of advanced technologies in GMO regulation signals a more transparent, efficient, and safer food system for the country. Here’s how it impacts everyday Nigerians:
- Easier product verification through QR codes for consumers at markets and retail stores.
- Stronger protection against bio-threats like harmful pathogens and unregulated biotech imports.
- Faster, smarter regulation using AI and blockchain for traceability and transparency.
- Safer GMO crops developed to address malnutrition, food spoilage, and pest challenges.
- Public involvement is encouraged through reporting of unapproved GMOs and access to safety information.
A Future of Safer, Smarter Food Systems
As Nigeria continues to grapple with food security, climate change, and a growing population, experts say the Biosafety Agency’s shift toward digital and biotech-driven regulation is both timely and necessary.
With collaborations already in place, a commitment to transparency, and a gradual embrace of innovative food systems, the agency appears poised to build a biosafety architecture fit for the future.
Still, public awareness, responsible consumption, and policy clarity will remain central to ensuring that the benefits of biotechnology are fully realised, without compromising safety or trust.
Talking Points
At Techparley, we find the National Biosafety Agency’s move to incorporate QR codes into its biosafety framework both timely and commendable.
In a country like Nigeria, where regulatory trust, and access to verified information is limited, giving consumers and officials the power to check the approval and safety status of GMO products is a major step forward.
This isn’t just about technology, it’s about accountability. This is seen as an example of how digital innovation can help rebuild public confidence in science and institutions.
That said, we do have concerns. The people most exposed to unregulated products are often the least connected digitally. So, we must ask: how do we make this tool work in rural markets, where smartphones are fewer and data is expensive?
The National Biosafety Agency must ensure that this technology is inclusive, reaching rural communities and informal markets where regulatory gaps are widest.
If it pairs this tech solution with grassroots education and strong partnerships, then there’s a real opportunity to scale this model across West Africa through collaboration, policy alignment, and strategic investment.
