The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a warning over the illegal movement of banned and unregistered pesticides across Nigeria's borders. In a statement signed by its Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency expressed concern over the circulation of unsafe agrochemicals, which poses severe risks to public health, food safety, and the environment. NAFDAC has intensified surveillance and enforcement operations to dismantle illegal pesticide supply chains and prevent prohibited products from entering the Nigerian market.
According to NAFDAC, pesticides lacking required regulatory assessment could infiltrate local markets via informal distribution channels. The agency disclosed that it seized banned agrochemicals valued at more than N800m across Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo states in 2025 as part of efforts to curb the circulation of unsafe agricultural chemicals. This move is part of NAFDAC's efforts to protect consumers, farmers, and ecosystems from the risks associated with banned and unregistered pesticides.
NAFDAC's enforcement operations have led to significant seizures, including 2,974 cartons of paraquat-based pesticides valued at approximately N148.7m in the North-West zone between September 2024 and July 2026. Additionally, 120 cartons of chlorpyrifos-based pesticides worth more than N17m were recovered. The agency has also sealed four unauthorized pesticide and agrochemical manufacturing facilities in Bichi, Kano State.
The agency'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. NAFDAC has also prohibited the importation, manufacture, and open-market or supermarket sale of 100ml pack sizes of dichlorvos.
NAFDAC emphasized the vital role of approved pesticides in agricultural productivity, but stressed that their handling must strictly comply with regulatory standards. The agency warned that even officially approved agrochemicals could pose severe health hazards if misused, incorrectly applied, sprayed on unauthorized crops, or harvested before recommended pre-harvest intervals elapsed.
To promote chemical authenticity and encourage responsible pesticide management, NAFDAC has trained more than 2,000 agro-input dealers nationwide. The agency urged farmers and agro-input users to purchase certified products exclusively from licensed dealers, adhere strictly to label instructions, apply recommended quantities, observe pre-harvest safety intervals, and dispose of empty containers safely.
NAFDAC 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 protect consumers, farmers, and ecosystems from the risks associated with banned and unregistered pesticides.
Key points
- NAFDAC seized banned agrochemicals valued at over N800m in 2025.
- The agency has trained over 2,000 agro-input dealers nationwide.
- NAFDAC has intensified surveillance and enforcement operations to dismantle illegal pesticide supply chains.
