The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised concerns over the potential health risks posed by pesticide misuse in Nigeria, following the detection of chemical residues above permitted safety limits in some samples of beans.
The agency also disclosed that it seized banned agrochemicals worth more than ₦800 million in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states in 2025, while a separate operation in Kebbi State led to the interception of 67,428 litres of paraquat, a prohibited pesticide, alongside banned atrazine products.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, raised the concerns during a media briefing on pesticide use in agricultural produce in Lagos, where she said the agency was intensifying surveillance, enforcement and public education to eliminate banned, unregistered, falsified and improperly used pesticides from the Nigerian market.
Adeyeye stressed that the agency was not opposed to the responsible use of pesticides but was committed to ensuring that chemicals sold or used in Nigeria were approved, safe and compliant with regulatory requirements.
She warned that although pesticides were important for crop protection and agricultural production, excessive use, improper application and failure to observe prescribed waiting periods before harvesting could expose farmers, consumers and the environment to harmful chemicals.
According to her, pesticide exposure could cause serious health problems, including death, while some effects might not appear immediately but could develop gradually over time.
A recent market study, she said, detected pyrethroid and dimethoate residues above applicable safety limits in some bean samples, raising concerns about the use of agricultural chemicals to preserve harvested produce.
Adeyeye explained that dimethoate was not approved for preserving harvested beans against pests such as weevils, noting that pesticides permitted for use on crops in the field could not automatically be used for post-harvest treatment.
She added that although certain pyrethroids could be used for post-harvest storage under approved conditions, users must comply with prescribed safety requirements, including the recommended waiting period before consumption.
The NAFDAC chief identified common forms of pesticide misuse as applying chemicals in quantities above recommended levels, using products on crops or against pests for which they were not approved, harvesting before the required pre-harvest interval and mixing products improperly.
Other dangerous practices include storing pesticides alongside food, animal feed or household items, reusing empty pesticide containers for domestic purposes and improperly disposing of chemical residues and containers.
“Food safety begins on the farm,” Adeyeye said, urging farmers to purchase approved products, follow label instructions, apply recommended quantities and observe appropriate safety precautions.
NAFDAC Intensifies Enforcement
Providing details of its enforcement activities, Adeyeye said the agency seized banned agrochemicals worth more than ₦800 million in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states in 2025.
She added that between September 2024 and July 2026, enforcement operations in the North-West Zone resulted in the seizure, interception or recovery of 2,974 cartons of pesticides containing paraquat, with an estimated value of ₦148.7 million.
Another 120 cartons of pesticides containing chlorpyrifos, valued at more than ₦17 million, were intercepted during the same period.
In a separate operation in Kebbi State, the agency intercepted 5,619 cartons containing 67,428 litres of paraquat and 500 cartons of atrazine products.
NAFDAC also sealed four unauthorised pesticide and agrochemical manufacturing facilities in Bichi, Kano State, in July 2026. According to Adeyeye, officers discovered unlabelled products, bulk chemicals and packaging materials suspected to be linked to illicit production.
She said suspects had been arrested in connection with the enforcement operations, while one case was undergoing prosecution.
Adeyeye attributed the continued circulation of prohibited pesticides partly to illegal imports and cross-border movements, noting that banned products could enter Nigeria through neighbouring countries and unauthorised supply channels.
She said the interceptions made after the effective date of the ban indicated that the challenge extended beyond residual stocks to illegal importation, unauthorised local production and distribution.
The NAFDAC chief disclosed that the phase-out periods for pesticides containing paraquat, chlorpyrifos and atrazine ended on January 1, 2026. Consequently, the chemicals could no longer legally be manufactured, imported, distributed, sold or used in Nigeria under the completed regulatory measures.
According to her, NAFDAC reviewed registered pesticide active ingredients in 2022, drawing on scientific evidence, its Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System database, and contributions from relevant experts and stakeholders.
The review considered potential risks to human health and the environment, alongside applicable national regulations and international requirements.
Adeyeye also disclosed that the agency had restricted the 100ml pack size of dichlorvos, prohibiting its importation, manufacture and sale in open markets and supermarkets because of concerns about its misuse on agricultural produce and its use in suicide. Other permitted pack sizes remain subject to applicable regulatory controls.
“No business interest or desire for profit will justify the illegal importation, distribution or sale of banned or non-compliant pesticides,” she said.
Agency Expands Public Education
To reduce the risks associated with improper pesticide use, Adeyeye said NAFDAC had trained more than 2,000 agro-input dealers on the responsible handling and application of agricultural chemicals.
She added that the agency was expanding its investigation and enforcement zonal offices from three to six to strengthen regulatory coverage across the country.
Other measures include the registration and scientific assessment of pesticide products before they enter the market, inspection of manufacturing and storage facilities, border checks, market surveillance, laboratory testing and enforcement against businesses involved in illegal production and distribution.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC also offered free interim testing for export products to encourage compliance with safety standards and reduce the risk of consignments being rejected in destination countries because of pesticide residues or other regulatory violations.
She urged manufacturers and importers to ensure their products met regulatory requirements, while distributors and agro-input dealers were advised to obtain pesticides only through legitimate channels.
Farmers were also urged to purchase chemicals from recognised agro-input dealers, read and follow product labels, use only recommended quantities and observe prescribed waiting periods before harvesting.
The Deputy Director of Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products at NAFDAC, Dr. Idayat Mudshiru, said sustained engagement with farmers and other stakeholders remained critical to preventing pesticide misuse.
Mudshiru said the agency continued to engage farmers and relevant stakeholders on the responsible use and application of pesticide products.
She added that NAFDAC was working with industry stakeholders, including CropLife, to improve public awareness and promote the safe handling and application of pesticides.
According to her, advocacy and education efforts were ongoing.
NAFDAC said it would sustain enforcement, public education and stakeholder engagement to ensure agricultural chemicals were used in accordance with safety requirements and that food reaching Nigerian households met applicable standards.