The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a grave warning regarding the illegal influx of banned and unregistered pesticides into Nigeria. The agency highlighted that these unsafe agrochemicals pose significant threats to public health, food safety, and the environment.

In a statement released on Saturday, NAFDAC's Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, expressed deep concern about the potential infiltration of pesticides that have not undergone the necessary regulatory assessments. These products are reportedly entering local markets through informal distribution channels, raising alarms about their safety and efficacy.

NAFDAC has ramped up its surveillance and enforcement efforts to dismantle illegal pesticide supply chains. The agency is focused on preventing prohibited products from crossing into Nigeria through unauthorized routes and neighboring countries. In 2025 alone, NAFDAC seized banned agrochemicals worth over N800 million across Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo states as part of its crackdown on unsafe agricultural chemicals.

Further enforcement operations conducted in the North-West zone from September 2024 to July 2026 led to the interception of 2,974 cartons of paraquat-based pesticides valued at approximately N148.7 million. Additionally, 120 cartons of chlorpyrifos-based pesticides worth more than N17 million were also recovered during these operations. Recent actions in Kebbi State resulted in the confiscation of 5,619 cartons of paraquat products and 500 cartons of atrazine-based products.

In a bid to enhance regulatory compliance, NAFDAC has sealed four unauthorized pesticide and agrochemical manufacturing facilities in Bichi, Kano State. The agency is also working closely with security and law enforcement agencies to disrupt illegal supply networks and prosecute those involved in the distribution of these hazardous substances.

The enforcement actions follow comprehensive scientific reviews and stakeholder consultations that led to the phased ban of certain pesticide active ingredients. The bans on paraquat, chlorpyrifos, and atrazine came into effect on January 1, 2024, November 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, respectively, with the grace periods for their phase-out concluding on January 1, 2026. Furthermore, NAFDAC has prohibited the importation, manufacture, and sale of 100ml pack sizes of dichlorvos (DDVP) due to concerns over its misuse on consumable agricultural produce.

While acknowledging the importance of approved pesticides for agricultural productivity, NAFDAC emphasized that their use must strictly adhere to regulatory standards to safeguard consumers, farmers, and the environment. The agency cautioned that even approved agrochemicals can be hazardous if misused, improperly applied, or used on unauthorized crops.

To mitigate these risks, NAFDAC urged farmers and agro-input users to purchase certified products only from licensed dealers, follow label instructions meticulously, apply recommended quantities, observe pre-harvest safety intervals, and safely dispose of empty containers. The agency has also trained over 2,000 agro-input dealers nationwide to promote chemical authenticity and responsible pesticide management.

NAFDAC calls on manufacturers, importers, distributors, farmers, and the public to support its ongoing regulatory efforts by complying with statutory guidelines and reporting any suspected illegal or unsafe products through its offices or official channels.