Agriculture-focused news blog, FoodFarm News, has issued a public apology to the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) for publishing an article that wrongly attributed comments to the association’s president, claiming he had declared the failure of genetically modified cotton (Bt cotton) in Nigeria.
The report, published on August 8, 2025, and titled “GMO Cotton Fails in Nigeria, Says President” alleged that NACOTAN President, Mr. Anibe Achimugu, made the remarks during an interview he granted them on X Space. The article quoted Achimugu as saying that “the GMO cotton failed,” citing poor yields and soil degradation allegedly caused by GM seeds.
Reacting swiftly to the claims, NACOTAN issued a formal statement on August 13, 2025, categorically denying that such an interview or comment ever took place. The statement, signed by Ado Sule, NACOTAN’s Director of Administration, described the publication as “false, mischievous, and deliberately misleading.”
“We state categorically that at no time did Mr. Anibe Achimugu, President of NACOTAN, grant any interview—on X Space or elsewhere—making such claims. The publication is a pure fabrication aimed at misinforming the public, tarnishing the image of NACOTAN’s leadership, and undermining the credibility of cotton farmers and the Federal Government of Nigeria,” the statement read.
NACOTAN further condemned the blog for violating basic journalistic ethics, including failure to verify facts and denial of the right of reply. The association demanded a full retraction of the article and a public apology within seven (7) days, warning that legal action would be pursued if the demands were not met.
The original story had generated considerable confusion within the agricultural sector, especially among stakeholders advocating for biotechnological innovations in Nigeria’s cotton value chain.
In response to NACOTAN’s protest, FoodFarm News published a retraction and apology on August 14, 2025, acknowledging the inaccuracy of its earlier publication.
“We refer to a story with the above title published in FoodFarm News edition of August 8, 2025, and a rejoinder by the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) denying any such interaction between its president, Mr. Anibe Achimugu, and the X Space. We wish to state that we regret any embarrassment the said piece might have caused NACOTAN and Mr. Achimugu,” the blog’s retraction stated.
The outlet further clarified that the report was a mistake, not an intentional act of misinformation.
“We also wish to assure NACOTAN and our esteemed readers that it was not intentional, but a mistake never to be repeated,” the apology continued. “We are all partners in progress, working towards food and fibre security, and the full emancipation of the agricultural sector in particular, and Nigeria in general, from bondage.”
NACOTAN has since urged the public to disregard the original article and rely only on credible, verified sources for information about its activities and leadership.
