The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised the alarm over the illegal circulation of banned and unregistered pesticides in Nigeria, warning of risks to public health, food safety and the environment.
The agency said it had intensified surveillance and enforcement operations to prevent prohibited products from entering the Nigerian market through neighbouring countries and unauthorised routes.
In a statement signed by its Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC disclosed that it seized banned agrochemicals worth more than N800 million across Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states in 2025.
Enforcement operations in the North-West between September 2024 and July 2026 led to the seizure of 2,974 cartons of paraquat-based pesticides valued at about N148.7 million and 120 cartons of chlorpyrifos-based pesticides worth more than N17 million.
The agency also reported the seizure of 5,619 cartons of paraquat-based products and 500 cartons of atrazine-based products during recent operations in Kebbi State.
NAFDAC said it had sealed four unauthorised pesticide and agrochemical manufacturing facilities in Bichi, Kano State, adding that it was working with security and law enforcement agencies to disrupt illegal supply networks and prosecute offenders.
The agency attributed the enforcement measures to regulatory reviews and stakeholder consultations that led to the phased ban on selected pesticide ingredients, including paraquat, chlorpyrifos and atrazine.
It said the bans took effect on January 1, 2024, November 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, respectively, while the applicable phase-out periods ended on January 1, 2026.
NAFDAC also prohibited the importation, manufacture and open-market or supermarket sale of 100ml packs of dichlorvos, popularly known as DDVP, over concerns about its misuse on food crops.
The agency warned that even approved agrochemicals could pose serious health risks if misused, applied to unauthorised crops or used without observing recommended pre-harvest intervals.
It advised farmers and other pesticide users to buy products only from licensed dealers, follow label instructions, apply recommended quantities, observe pre-harvest intervals and dispose of empty containers safely.
“Farmers and other pesticide users must strictly follow approved label instructions, observe recommended pre-harvest intervals, and ensure the safe disposal of empty containers to protect consumers and the environment,” the agency cautioned.
NAFDAC disclosed that it had trained more than 2,000 agro-input dealers nationwide to promote the sale of authentic chemicals and encourage responsible pesticide use.
It urged manufacturers, importers, distributors, farmers and members of the public to comply with regulatory requirements and report suspected illegal or unsafe products to its offices or through official reporting channels.
