The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has raised the alarm over the illegal movement of banned and unregistered pesticides across Nigeria’s borders.
NAFDAC warned that the circulation of unsafe agrochemicals poses severe risks to public health, food safety, and the environment.
The agency stated that it had intensified surveillance and enforcement operations to dismantle illegal pesticide supply chains and prevent prohibited products from entering the Nigerian market through neighboring countries and unauthorised routes.
In a statement obtained by Sunday PUNCH on Saturday, signed by its Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC expressed concern that pesticides lacking required regulatory assessment could infiltrate local markets via informal distribution channels.
“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.
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.
It added that enforcement operations conducted in the North-West zone between September 2024 and July 2026 resulted in the interception and seizure of 2,974 cartons of paraquat-based pesticides valued at approximately N148.7m.
According to the agency, the operations also led to the recovery of 120 cartons of chlorpyrifos-based pesticides worth more than N17m.
NAFDAC further disclosed that recent operations in Kebbi State resulted in the interception of 5,619 cartons of paraquat-based products and 500 cartons of atrazine-based products.
The agency noted that it had sealed four unauthorized pesticide and agrochemical manufacturing facilities in Bichi, Kano State, while strengthening collaboration with security and law enforcement authorities to disrupt illegal supply networks and prosecute offenders.
“Our enforcement operations are aimed at dismantling illegal supply chains, preventing prohibited products from reaching the Nigerian market, and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice,” NAFDAC said.
The agency explained that its intensified enforcement followed comprehensive scientific reviews and stakeholder consultations that led to the phased ban of selected pesticide active ingredients, including paraquat, chlorpyrifos, and atrazine.
It noted that the bans on paraquat, chlorpyrifos, and atrazine took effect on January 1, 2024, November 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, respectively, with applicable phase-out grace periods concluding on January 1, 2026.
Additionally, NAFDAC prohibited the importation, manufacture, and open-market or supermarket sale of 100ml pack sizes of dichlorvos, popularly known as DDVP, due to widespread concerns over its misuse on consumable agricultural produce.
While emphasizing the vital role of approved pesticides in agricultural productivity, NAFDAC stressed that their handling must strictly comply with regulatory standards to protect consumers, farmers, and ecosystems.
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.
Consequently, NAFDAC 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.
“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.
Furthermore, NAFDAC disclosed that it had trained more than 2,000 agro-input dealers nationwide to promote chemical authenticity and encourage responsible pesticide management.
It 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 through its nearest offices or official reporting channels.