By Sandra Kenneth
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an urgent alarm over the rampant illegal movement of banned and unregistered pesticides across Nigeria’s borders.
The agency warned that the circulation of unsafe agrochemicals poses severe and direct risks to public health, food safety, and the environment. In response, NAFDAC has intensified surveillance and enforcement operations to dismantle illicit supply chains and block prohibited products from entering the country through neighboring nations and unauthorized routes.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC expressed deep concern that pesticides lacking proper regulatory oversight are infiltrating local markets via informal distribution networks.
“The illegal movement of banned and unregistered pesticides across our borders poses a serious threat to public health, food safety, and the environment,” Adeyeye stated.
To counter the threat, enforcement teams have launched aggressive crackdowns nationwide. In 2025 alone, NAFDAC seized banned agrochemicals valued at over ₦800 million across Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo states. Subsequent operations in the North-West zone between September 2024 and July 2026 led to the interception of 2,974 cartons of paraquat-based pesticides worth approximately ₦148.7 million, alongside 120 cartons of chlorpyrifos-based pesticides valued at over ₦17 million.
Further operations in Kebbi State also yielded the seizure of 5,619 cartons of paraquat-based products and 500 cartons of atrazine-based products, while four unauthorized agrochemical manufacturing facilities were sealed in Bichi, Kano State.
The heightened enforcement follows comprehensive scientific reviews and stakeholder consultations that resulted in the phased ban of selected active ingredients:
Bans on paraquat, chlorpyrifos, and atrazine officially took effect on January 1, 2024, November 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, respectively, with grace periods concluding on January 1, 2026.
NAFDAC also prohibited the importation, manufacture, and open-market or supermarket sale of 100ml pack sizes of dichlorvos (DDVP) due to widespread concerns over misuse on consumable farm produce.
While acknowledging the vital role approved pesticides play in agricultural productivity, NAFDAC stressed that their handling must strictly comply with regulatory standards. The agency cautioned that even officially approved chemicals pose health hazards if misused, applied to unauthorized crops, or harvested before recommended pre-harvest intervals elapse.
As part of proactive measures, NAFDAC has trained over 2,000 agro-input dealers nationwide to promote chemical authenticity and responsible management. The agency urged farmers and the public to purchase certified products only from licensed dealers, adhere strictly to label instructions, and report suspected illegal substances through official channels.
