The agency warns that prohibited pesticides remain in circulation despite the expiration of regulatory phase-out periods, raising concerns over public health, food contamination and agricultural safety.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized banned agrochemicals worth more than ₦800 million in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states, warning that the continued circulation of illegal pesticides poses serious risks to public health, food safety and Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The agency disclosed that enforcement operations carried out in 2025 uncovered the prohibited products, while subsequent operations across the country led to additional seizures and interceptions of illegal pesticides.
NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, also revealed that enforcement operations conducted in the North-West between September 2024 and July 2026 resulted in the seizure or interception of 2,974 cartons of pesticides containing banned paraquat, valued at approximately ₦148.7 million.
During the same period, another 120 cartons of chlorpyrifos-containing pesticides, worth more than ₦17 million, were seized.
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In a separate operation in Kebbi State, enforcement officers intercepted 5,619 cartons of banned paraquat, equivalent to 67,428 litres, alongside 500 cartons of atrazine, weighing approximately 5,000 kilogrammes.
The latest seizures highlight the scale of the challenge facing regulators as they intensify efforts to prevent prohibited agrochemicals from entering the Nigerian market.
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NAFDAC Warns Against Continued Sale of Banned Chemicals
According to Adeyeye, the continued availability of prohibited pesticides after the expiration of their regulatory phase-out periods suggests persistent illegal importation, unauthorized manufacturing and distribution through illicit supply chains.
She explained that, as of January 1, 2026, all applicable phase-out periods under NAFDAC’s completed regulatory measures had ended.
Consequently, the manufacture, importation, distribution, sale and use of the affected products are prohibited under the agency’s applicable regulatory measures.
The substances identified include paraquat, chlorpyrifos and atrazine, which are among the chemicals targeted by the agency’s enforcement efforts.
NAFDAC has also restricted the 100-millilitre pack size of dichlorvos, commonly known as DDVP, prohibiting its importation, manufacture and sale in open markets and supermarkets because of concerns over its misuse on agricultural produce.
The agency’s position underscores the need for farmers, agrochemical dealers, distributors and other stakeholders to comply with approved pesticide regulations and avoid products that have been banned or restricted.
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Four Illegal Agrochemical Factories Sealed in Kano
In another enforcement action, NAFDAC sealed four unauthorized agrochemical and pesticide manufacturing facilities in Bichi, Kano State, in July 2026.
According to the agency, officers discovered unlabeled products, bulk materials and packaging materials associated with illicit production during the operation.
The discoveries raised further concerns about the production and distribution of unregulated agrochemicals outside approved manufacturing and quality-control processes.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC was strengthening surveillance, border monitoring and collaboration with law enforcement agencies to dismantle illegal supply networks and ensure that offenders face appropriate sanctions.
The agency is also working to prevent prohibited products from reaching farmers, agricultural markets and consumers.
Illegal Pesticides Raise Food Contamination Concerns
Beyond the illegal trade in banned agrochemicals, NAFDAC has warned that even approved pesticides can contaminate food when used incorrectly or when crops are harvested before the recommended waiting period has elapsed.
The agency stressed that pesticides must be applied strictly according to approved uses and the instructions provided on their labels.
Adeyeye cited a market study involving beans that detected residues of pyrethroids and dimethoate above safe limits.
She noted that dimethoate was not approved for preserving harvested beans against pests such as weevils, warning against the misuse of pesticides to protect stored agricultural produce.
Improper pesticide application can leave chemical residues on food products, potentially exposing consumers to substances at levels that exceed established safety limits.
The warning reinforces the importance of responsible pesticide use, proper handling of harvested crops and compliance with food safety standards throughout the agricultural supply chain.
Farmers, Traders Urged to Comply With Regulations
NAFDAC’s enforcement campaign places renewed attention on the responsibilities of farmers, agrochemical retailers, importers, manufacturers and food handlers in protecting public health.
Farmers are expected to obtain pesticides from legitimate sources, verify that products are approved for their intended use and observe the recommended application rates and pre-harvest intervals.
Agrochemical dealers and distributors must also ensure that the products they supply comply with applicable regulations, while food handlers must avoid using unauthorized chemicals to preserve harvested crops.
Consumers, meanwhile, are encouraged to remain alert to food safety concerns and report suspected cases of illegal pesticide sales or misuse to the appropriate authorities.
The agency’s latest disclosures highlight the connection between effective agrochemical regulation, safe food production and public confidence in Nigeria’s agricultural markets.
As enforcement operations continue, the effectiveness of regulatory oversight will remain important in limiting the circulation of prohibited pesticides, protecting consumers from unsafe chemical residues and supporting a safer agricultural environment across the country.
Cruise TV News will continue to report developments in public health, food safety, agriculture and regulatory enforcement in Nigeria.
