Overview

The National Biosafety Management Agency Act, 2015, establishes the National Biosafety Management Agency under Nigerian law with the mandate to regulate modern biotechnology to protect human health, animals, plants, and the environment. The Act is divided into ten parts: Part I establishes the Agency as a corporate body with objectives including strengthening biosafety institutional arrangements, safeguarding biodiversity and human health from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), ensuring safety in biotechnology use, and implementing case-by-case risk assessment and management. Part II outlines the Agency's functions and powers, such as monitoring, inspecting, and enforcing compliance. Part III details the structure and staff, including the Director-General, Secretary, and Legal Adviser, along with terms of service. Part IV establishes a Governing Board with composition and tenure. Part V defines the Board's functions. Part VI covers financial provisions like funding, borrowing, investment, and annual audits and reports. Part VII manages permits for import, export, and transit of GMOs, requiring public notice, hearings, and approval procedures. Part VIII mandates risk assessment and management plans. Part IX lists offences (e.g., false information, obstruction) and penalties (fines up to 5 million Naira for individuals, 20 million for corporations, and imprisonment). Part X includes regulations, property powers, and interpretation. The Act applies to all GMOs and related products.

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