By Nkechi Eze
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its crackdown on banned, unregistered, falsified and substandard pesticides, following seizures of illegal agrochemicals worth hundreds of millions of naira across several states.
The agency said it seized banned agrochemicals valued at over ₦800 million in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states in 2025, while subsequent enforcement operations across the North-West Zone led to the interception and seizure of thousands of cartons of prohibited pesticide products.
According to an official statement signed by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, enforcement operations conducted between September 2024 and July 2026 resulted in the seizure, interception or custody of 2,974 cartons of paraquat-based pesticides valued at approximately ₦148.7 million.
The agency also reported the seizure of 120 cartons of chlorpyrifos-based pesticides worth over ₦17 million, while recent operations in Kebbi State led to the interception of 5,619 cartons of paraquat-based products and 500 cartons of atrazine-based pesticides.
NAFDAC further disclosed that it had sealed four unauthorised pesticide and agrochemical manufacturing facilities in Bichi, Kano State, as part of efforts to dismantle illegal production and distribution networks.
The agency said it was strengthening collaboration with relevant government institutions and law enforcement authorities to disrupt illegal supply chains and ensure that offenders were prosecuted.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC remained committed to protecting public health, food safety and the environment, stressing that although pesticides were essential to agricultural production, their use must comply with regulatory requirements.
She explained that following scientific reviews and stakeholder consultations, the agency introduced phase-out measures for selected pesticide active ingredients, with bans on paraquat, chlorpyrifos and atrazine taking effect on January 1, 2024, November 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, respectively.
According to the agency, the applicable phase-out periods had ended by January 1, 2026.
NAFDAC has also prohibited the importation, manufacture and open-market or supermarket sale of the 100ml pack size of dichlorvos, commonly known as DDVP, following concerns over its misuse on agricultural produce.
The agency expressed concern over the movement of illegal pesticides across Nigeria’s borders and through informal supply channels, warning that banned products could enter the country through neighbouring countries and unauthorised routes.
It added that some pesticides circulating in local markets had not undergone the required Nigerian regulatory assessment, posing potential risks to consumers, farmers and the environment.
NAFDAC warned that even approved pesticides could pose serious health and environmental risks when misused, applied to unauthorised crops or used without observing the required waiting period between application and harvesting.
The agency urged farmers and other pesticide users to purchase products only from legitimate agro-input dealers, follow label instructions, use recommended quantities, observe pre-harvest intervals and dispose of empty containers safely.
It disclosed that more than 2,000 agro-input dealers had been trained to promote product authenticity and responsible pesticide use.
NAFDAC called on manufacturers, importers, distributors, agro-input dealers, farmers and members of the public to comply with regulatory requirements and report suspected illegal or unsafe products through its nearest office or official communication channels.
The agency provided nafdac@nafdac.gov.ng and reforms@nafdac.gov.ng as channels for reporting suspected violations, reaffirming its commitment to sustained surveillance, enforcement and stakeholder collaboration to strengthen food safety and support a safe and productive agricultural sector.
