NAFDAC Seized ₦800 Million in Banned Pesticides Across Four States, Raises Alarm Over Food Safety in Nigeria.

NAFDAC Seized ₦800 Million in Banned Pesticides Across Four States, Raises Alarm Over Food Safety in Nigeria.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its crackdown on illegal agricultural chemicals after seizing banned agrochemicals valued at more than ₦800 million across four Nigerian states, raising fresh concerns about food safety, public health and environmental protection.

The agency disclosed that the seizures were made in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states in 2025 as part of efforts to eliminate prohibited pesticides from Nigeria’s agricultural supply chain.

According to News reports, the enforcement campaign has also uncovered additional consignments of banned pesticides in other parts of the country, highlighting persistent challenges in regulating the importation, distribution and use of hazardous agricultural chemicals.

NAFDAC Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, has warned that the continued circulation of prohibited pesticides poses significant risks to farmers, consumers and the environment, particularly when the chemicals are improperly applied to food crops.

NAFDAC Uncovers More Banned Chemicals Across Nigeria

Beyond the seizures recorded in the South West, NAFDAC reported that enforcement operations across the North West between September 2024 and July 2026 resulted in the seizure, interception or recovery of 2,974 cartons of pesticides containing paraquat, valued at approximately ₦148.7 million.

The agency also reported seizing 120 cartons of chlorpyrifos based pesticides worth more than ₦17 million during the same period.

In a separate operation in Kebbi State, officials intercepted 5,619 cartons containing approximately 67,428 litres of paraquat-based pesticides and another 500 cartons of atrazine products, equivalent to about 5,000 kilograms.

These discoveries have intensified concerns that prohibited agricultural chemicals continue to enter the market through illegal importation, unauthorized manufacturing operations and distribution networks operating outside regulatory requirements.

NAFDAC also disclosed that it sealed four unauthorized pesticide and agrochemical manufacturing facilities in Bauchi, Kano State, in July 2026. Officials reportedly discovered unlabelled products, bulk chemical materials and packaging equipment associated with suspected illegal production.

The agency said it was strengthening collaboration with relevant government institutions and law enforcement authorities to identify offenders, remove prohibited products from circulation and pursue prosecution where appropriate.

Paraquat, Chlorpyrifos and Atrazine Face Nationwide Restrictions

NAFDAC identified paraquat, chlorpyrifos and atrazine among the prohibited pesticide ingredients found during its enforcement operations.

According to the agency, the applicable phase out periods for these substances ended on January 1, 2026, following regulatory reviews informed by scientific evidence and consultations with relevant stakeholders.

The restrictions mean that products covered by the completed bans can no longer legally be manufactured, imported, distributed, sold or used in Nigeria.

The agency has also prohibited the importation, manufacture and open-market or supermarket sale of the 100-millilitre pack size of dichlorvos, commonly known as DDVP, over concerns about its misuse on agricultural produce and other associated risks.

The continued discovery of prohibited products after the expiration of their phase out periods raises questions about the effectiveness of market surveillance, border monitoring and enforcement against unauthorized suppliers.

Addressing these challenges will require sustained regulatory action, stronger accountability across the agricultural supply chain and greater awareness among farmers and agrochemical dealers.

Pesticide Residues Raise Additional Food Safety Concerns

The seizures come amid wider concerns about the potential presence of harmful pesticide residues in food sold to Nigerian consumers.

NAFDAC has reported findings from a market study in which some bean samples contained pyrethroid and dimethoate residues above permitted safety limits.

Such findings underscore the importance of monitoring how agricultural chemicals are used, particularly where pesticides are applied to harvested produce or used for purposes outside their approved applications.

Improper pesticide use can expose consumers to potentially harmful chemical residues while also affecting agricultural workers, soil quality, water resources and surrounding ecosystems.

The issue has broader implications for Nigeria’s food security and agricultural economy. While pesticides can help farmers control pests and protect crop yields, the use of prohibited substances or the improper application of approved products can undermine consumer confidence and create additional public health risks.

Effective regulation must therefore balance legitimate agricultural needs with the protection of human health and the environment.

NAFDAC Advises Farmers and Agrochemical Dealers

NAFDAC has urged farmers to purchase agricultural chemicals only from legitimate agro input dealers and verify that products are approved for use in Nigeria.

The agency also advised users to follow product label instructions, apply only recommended quantities, observe the required interval between pesticide application and harvesting, and dispose of chemical containers safely.

Farmers have also been warned against using pesticides for purposes not authorized by regulators, particularly applying chemicals to harvested food products in ways that could leave dangerous residues.

NAFDAC disclosed that it had trained more than 2,000 agro input dealers to help improve product identification and promote responsible pesticide handling.

The agency is also strengthening its enforcement capacity and cooperation with other government bodies to disrupt illegal supply chains and improve compliance with pesticide regulations.

For manufacturers, importers and distributors, the agency has emphasized the importance of complying with registration requirements and avoiding the production or sale of banned, falsified, unregistered or substandard products.

Stronger Enforcement Needed to Protect Nigerians

The seizure of more than ₦800 million worth of prohibited agrochemicals highlights the scale of the regulatory challenge facing Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Although enforcement operations have resulted in significant interceptions, the continued discovery of banned products suggests that removing existing stocks alone may not be sufficient to resolve the problem.

Sustained action against illegal importation, unauthorized manufacturing and distribution will be essential to prevent prohibited pesticides from re entering the market.

Improved coordination among regulators, customs authorities, law enforcement agencies, agricultural stakeholders and state governments could also strengthen monitoring and accountability.

For consumers, the findings reinforce the importance of food safety measures that extend beyond markets and processing facilities to the farms where agricultural products originate.

As NAFDAC intensifies its campaign, the effectiveness of its efforts will depend not only on the volume of chemicals seized but also on its ability to prevent further circulation, ensure compliance with existing restrictions and hold offenders accountable.

Protecting Nigerians from unsafe agricultural chemicals remains a shared responsibility involving regulators, farmers, agrochemical suppliers and the wider food production industry.