The Federal Government has emphasized the urgent need for unified efforts to protect Nigeria’s traditional crops, which it described as vital to the nation’s future but increasingly threatened by climate change, urban expansion, and harmful agricultural practices.
Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, made this appeal during an advocacy workshop on the Conservation and Use of Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) in Nigeria. The event was organized by the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) in Abuja.
Dr. Ogunbiyi highlighted the government’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s crop diversity, recognizing its critical role in ensuring long-term food and nutrition security.
He explained that Nigeria’s strength in agriculture is deeply tied to its diverse genetic resources and traditional crops, which have naturally adapted to local conditions over generations.
He cautioned that without proactive measures, Nigeria risks losing the essential biological base of its food systems.
Dr. Ogunbiyi stated that Nigeria is endowed with a vast array of plant genetic resources, including staple crops like yam, cassava, maize, millet, rice, and sorghum. These crops have been grown and consumed across the country for generations, forming an essential part of the nation’s food traditions and cultural identity.
He expressed concern over the rapid decline in plant genetic diversity, attributing it to climate change, urban growth, and the widespread adoption of modern crop varieties. This trend, he warned, is leading to the gradual disappearance of traditional crop types and a significant loss of genetic variation.
According to him, such losses pose serious risks to the country’s food systems, potentially resulting in lower crop yields, reduced resistance to environmental stress, and a decline in nutritional quality.
Dr. Ogunbiyi called for enhanced cooperation among relevant stakeholders, greater public awareness, and the implementation of effective policies aimed at preserving and making sustainable use of Nigeria’s plant genetic resources.
Professor Abdullahi Mustapha, Director General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), expressed deep concern about the future of Nigeria’s food system. He emphasized the critical need to give priority to the preservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources.
He pointed out that with the country’s population steadily increasing, there is a growing risk to national food and nutrition security. He argued that maintaining a wide range of crop varieties is not only a scientific obligation but a vital strategy for the nation’s continued survival.
Dr. Anthony Okere, Director of the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), highlighted that Nigeria is one of only five African countries selected by the Global Crop Diversity Trust to participate in the Seeds for Resilience programme.
He described the five-year project as transformative for Nigeria’s national genebank, which has now been equipped with modern facilities, digital tools, and improved global integration.
According to Dr. Okere, more than 30 new crop varieties have recently been developed and released, thanks to the genetic resources preserved in the genebank.
He added that this initiative aligns with the President’s emergency intervention on food security, noting that enhanced seed quality is key to tackling hunger more effectively.
