The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized banned pesticides worth more than N800m across Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states in 2025 as part of efforts to curb the circulation of unsafe agricultural chemicals in Nigeria.
The agency also disclosed that it confiscated thousands of cartons of prohibited pesticides in the North-West and shut down four illegal agrochemical manufacturing facilities in Bichi, Kano State.
In a statement signed by its Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC said its operations between September 2024 and July 2026 led to the seizure of 2,974 cartons of paraquat-based pesticides valued at about N148.7m and 120 cartons of chlorpyrifos-based products worth more than N17m.
In separate operations in Kebbi State, officials intercepted 5,619 cartons of paraquat-based pesticides and 500 cartons of atrazine-based products.
The agency attributed the enforcement actions to concerns about the health and environmental dangers associated with prohibited pesticides, which it said continued to enter the country through neighbouring borders and unauthorised distribution channels.
NAFDAC explained that restrictions on selected pesticide ingredients, including paraquat, chlorpyrifos and atrazine, followed scientific assessments and consultations with relevant stakeholders.
According to the agency, the bans on paraquat, chlorpyrifos and atrazine took effect on January 1, 2024, November 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, respectively. It added that the applicable phase-out periods ended on January 1, 2026.
The regulator also prohibited the importation, production and open-market or supermarket sale of 100ml packs of dichlorvos, commonly known as DDVP, because of concerns about its misuse on food crops meant for human consumption.
Adeyeye said pesticides remained important to agricultural production when used correctly but warned that improper application could expose farmers and consumers to serious health risks and damage the environment.
She explained that applying excessive quantities of chemicals, spraying crops not approved for treatment or harvesting produce before the recommended pre-harvest interval could leave harmful residues in food.
The agency urged farmers and agrochemical users to purchase pesticides only from licensed dealers, follow instructions on product labels, use recommended doses and dispose of empty containers safely.
NAFDAC also disclosed that it had trained more than 2,000 agro-input dealers nationwide to help them identify genuine products and promote responsible pesticide use.
The agency called on manufacturers, importers, distributors, farmers and members of the public to comply with regulations and report suspected illegal or unsafe agrochemicals through its offices and official reporting channels.
It added that it would continue collaborating with security and law enforcement agencies to dismantle illegal distribution networks and prosecute those found responsible.
