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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said it has intensified its crackdown on banned, unregistered, falsified and substandard pesticides to protect public health, food safety and the environment.
In a Saturday statement signed by the Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency said while pesticides are important for agricultural production, they must be approved and used responsibly in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Adeyeye said following scientific reviews and stakeholder consultations, NAFDAC introduced phase-out measures for selected pesticide active ingredients, with enforcement of the bans on paraquat, chlorpyrifos and atrazine taking effect on January 1, 2024, November 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025, respectively. She noted that the applicable phase-out periods ended by January 1, 2026.
She added that the agency has also prohibited the importation, manufacture and open-market or supermarket sale of the 100 ml pack size of dichlorvos (DDVP) over concerns about its misuse on agricultural produce.
The NAFDAC boss expressed concern over the illegal movement of pesticides across Nigeria’s borders and through informal supply channels, noting that banned products may enter the country through neighbouring countries or unauthorised routes.
She said despite the restrictions, NAFDAC continues to uncover illegal pesticide products through surveillance and enforcement.
According to her, in 2025, the agency seized banned agrochemicals valued at over N800 million in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States.
Between September 2024 and July 2026, enforcement operations in the North-West Zone led to the seizure, interception or custody of 2,974 cartons of paraquat-based pesticides valued at approximately N148.7 million. Additional seizures included 120 cartons of chlorpyrifos-based pesticides worth over N17 million, while recent operations in Kebbi State intercepted 5,619 cartons of paraquat-based products and 500 cartons of atrazine-based products.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC has also sealed four unauthorised pesticide and agrochemical manufacturing facilities in Bichi, Kano State, and is strengthening collaboration with relevant government agencies and law enforcement authorities to disrupt illegal supply chains and prosecute offenders.
She warned that even approved pesticides can pose serious risks when misused, including when applied incorrectly, used on unauthorised crops, or harvested before the required waiting period.
She advised farmers and other users to purchase approved pesticides from legitimate agro-input dealers, follow label instructions, use recommended quantities, observe pre-harvest intervals and dispose of containers safely, noting that the agency has trained more than 2,000 agro-input dealers to promote product authenticity and responsible use.
The agency called on manufacturers, importers, distributors, agro-input dealers, farmers and the public to comply with regulatory requirements and report suspected illegal or unsafe products through its nearest office or official channels, including [email protected] and [email protected].
