The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised concerns over the influx of banned and unregistered pesticides into Nigeria's markets. According to NAFDAC's Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the circulation of these unsafe agrochemicals poses severe risks to public health, food safety, and the environment. The agency has intensified surveillance and enforcement operations to curb the illegal supply of pesticides.
NAFDAC disclosed that it seized banned agrochemicals valued at over N800m across Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo states in 2025. The agency also intercepted and seized 2,974 cartons of paraquat-based pesticides worth approximately N148.7m in the North-West zone between September 2024 and July 2026. Furthermore, 120 cartons of chlorpyrifos-based pesticides valued at over N17m were recovered during the same period.
The agency's enforcement operations also led to the interception of 5,619 cartons of paraquat-based products and 500 cartons of atrazine-based products in Kebbi State. NAFDAC has sealed four unauthorized pesticide and agrochemical manufacturing facilities in Bichi, Kano State. The agency is strengthening collaboration with security and law enforcement authorities to disrupt illegal supply networks and prosecute offenders.
NAFDAC's intensified enforcement follows comprehensive scientific reviews and stakeholder consultations that led to the phased ban of selected pesticide active ingredients, including paraquat, chlorpyrifos, and atrazine. The bans on paraquat, chlorpyrifos, and atrazine took effect on January 1, 2024, November 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, respectively. The agency also prohibited the importation, manufacture, and open-market sale of 100ml pack sizes of dichlorvos (DDVP) due to concerns over its misuse.
While emphasizing the vital role of approved pesticides in agricultural productivity, NAFDAC stressed that their handling must strictly comply with regulatory standards to protect consumers, farmers, and ecosystems. The agency warned that even officially approved agrochemicals could pose severe health hazards if misused or incorrectly applied. NAFDAC urged farmers and agro-input users to purchase certified products exclusively from licensed dealers and adhere to label instructions.
NAFDAC has trained over 2,000 agro-input dealers nationwide to promote chemical authenticity and encourage responsible pesticide management. The agency called on manufacturers, importers, distributors, farmers, and members of the public to support ongoing regulatory enforcement by complying with statutory guidelines and reporting suspected illegal or unsafe products.
The agency's efforts aim to dismantle illegal supply chains, prevent prohibited products from reaching the Nigerian market, and ensure that offenders are brought to justice. NAFDAC's warning and enforcement operations underscore the need for vigilance in the agricultural sector to safeguard public health and the environment.
Key points
- NAFDAC seized banned agrochemicals valued at over N800m in 2025.
- The agency has trained over 2,000 agro-input dealers nationwide.
- NAFDAC's enforcement operations resulted in the interception of thousands of cartons of banned pesticides.
