Abuja, February 21, 2024 - The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) says it remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering continuous collaboration with relevant border agencies to fulfill its mandate of safeguarding Nigeria's biodiversity. During a two-day consultative workshop held in Abuja on February 21, 2024, Dr. Agnes Yemisi Asagbra, Director General/CEO of NBMA, emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration with border agencies. The workshop served as a platform to exchange information and experiences gathered over the years.
Dr. Asagbra highlighted the esteemed partnership with border agencies, urging them to remain dedicated to protecting Nigeria's biodiversity from the adverse effects of modern and emerging biotechnology to ensure a bio-secure Nigeria. She referenced the successful repatriation of GM maize from Argentina in collaboration with Nigeria Customs as a testament to the effectiveness of such collaborations. Mrs. Bello Scholastica, Acting Director of Planning Research and Statistics at NBMA, reiterated the agency's commitment to biodiversity protection while leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive the agricultural sector. She emphasized the workshop's objective of sharing ideas and experiences to enhance collaboration further.
Assistant Director with the Program for Biosafety Systems, John Komen, in a virtual presentation, praised Nigeria's Biosafety System as one of the best globally, emphasizing the country's dedication to sustainable biodiversity management through robust policies and regulatory frameworks.
Janet Adesina, a Senior Scientific Officer with NBMA, affirmed the agency's alignment with its establishing Act and reiterated the commitment to working closely with all border agencies. She highlighted the pivotal role of collaboration in facilitating the repatriation of unapproved GM maize from Argentina in 2017, underscoring the collective effort needed to ensure the safe application of modern biotechnology. The two-day workshop had in attendance representatives from line ministries, departments, and agencies such as the Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, and Nigerian Police Force among other MDAs who work in the Nigerian borders.
NBMA Issues Warning Against False Employment Claims on Unofficial Websites
The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) is alerting the public of the proliferation of fake employment sites fraudulently claiming to be associated with the agency. The NBMA understands the concerns and frustration these misleading websites can cause, and wishes to clarify that it has no association with any unauthorized employment platforms.
NBMA is the regulatory body responsible for the oversight, regulation, and management of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria. We take our responsibilities seriously and are committed to ensuring transparency, integrity, and fairness in all our operations, including the recruitment and employment process.
However, it has come to our attention that several unofficial websites and online platforms are falsely claiming to be affiliated with the NBMA and misleading job seekers by advertising false employment opportunities. These impostors often request personal information and even payment from unsuspecting individuals in exchange for job offers, creating significant distress and financial losses.
The NBMA wants to emphasize that it does not advertise vacancies or accept job applications through any non-official channels, including external websites or social media platforms. All employment opportunities are published according to the federal government laid down procedure through the civil service commission. Any other sources claiming to represent the NBMA should be treated with caution and reported immediately.
Kindly note that the NBMA will continue to provide authentic and transparent information regarding employment opportunities solely through our official channels.