The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified efforts to rid the Nigerian market of banned and unsafe pesticides, following the seizure of thousands of cartons of prohibited agrochemicals across several states.
The agency said the crackdown was aimed at protecting public health, preventing food contamination and reducing environmental hazards associated with the illegal sale and misuse of pesticides.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC disclosed that enforcement operations had uncovered banned agrochemical products worth hundreds of millions of naira in different parts of the country.
According to the agency, it seized banned agrochemicals valued at more than N800 million in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states in 2025.
It also reported that enforcement operations conducted in the North-West Zone between September 2024 and July 2026 resulted in the seizure, interception or custody of 2,974 cartons of paraquat-based pesticides valued at approximately N148.7 million.
The operations further led to the recovery of 120 cartons of chlorpyrifos-based pesticides worth more than N17 million.
In separate operations in Kebbi State, officials intercepted 5,619 cartons of paraquat-based products and 500 cartons of atrazine-based pesticides.
Adeyeye also disclosed that the agency had sealed four unauthorised pesticide and agrochemical manufacturing facilities in Bichi, Kano State, as part of efforts to dismantle illegal production and distribution networks.
She warned that banned pesticides continued to find their way into the country through neighbouring countries, unauthorised border routes and informal supply channels, despite existing restrictions.
The NAFDAC boss explained that the agency had prohibited selected pesticide ingredients following scientific reviews and consultations with relevant stakeholders.
The restrictions cover paraquat, chlorpyrifos and atrazine, with enforcement taking effect on January 1, 2024, November 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025, respectively. She noted that the applicable phase-out periods had ended by January 1, 2026.
The agency has also prohibited the importation, manufacture and open-market or supermarket sale of the 100 ml pack size of dichlorvos, also known as DDVP, over concerns about its misuse on agricultural produce.
Adeyeye stressed that although pesticides play an important role in agricultural production, their use must comply with approved safety standards to prevent harm to consumers, farmers and the environment.
She warned that even approved pesticides could pose serious health risks when applied incorrectly, used on unauthorised crops or when agricultural produce was harvested before the recommended waiting period had elapsed.
To address these risks, NAFDAC advised farmers and other pesticide users to purchase products only from legitimate agro-input dealers, follow label instructions, apply recommended quantities and observe the required pre-harvest intervals.
The agency also urged users to dispose of empty pesticide containers safely and avoid using chemicals that had been banned or were not registered for use in Nigeria.
Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC had trained more than 2,000 agro-input dealers to improve product authentication and promote the responsible use of agricultural chemicals.
She added that the agency was strengthening collaboration with relevant government institutions and law enforcement authorities to disrupt illegal supply chains and prosecute offenders.
NAFDAC called on manufacturers, importers, distributors, farmers and members of the public to comply with its regulations and report suspected illegal or unsafe pesticide products to its nearest office or through [email protected] and [email protected].
