The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the regulation of pesticides in Nigeria, curbing the circulation of banned, unregistered and falsified pesticide products, and protecting public health, food safety and the integrity of the nation’s agricultural value chain. NAFDAC’s stronger focus on pesticide control recognizes that pesticides are important for farming, but they must be used safely and according to approved instructions.
Pesticides are essential tools for agricultural production, crop protection and the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians. Every day humans depend on healthy farm to table systems, from the food we eat to the water we drink to the ecosystems that sustain life. NAFDAC is not against the responsible use of pesticides but rather to ensure that pesticides sold or used in Nigeria are safe, approved and meet regulatory requirements, and that their use does not cause harm to people, contaminate our food or damage the environment. However, their improper use, abuse, misuse, illegal distribution or use of substandard, falsified or adulterated products poses significant risks to human health, animals, crops and the environment.
NAFDAC was established under Act Cap N1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and it is statutorily responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacture, importation, exportation, advertisement, distribution, sale, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water, detergents, and chemicals, including pesticides and agrochemicals.
The regulation and control of pesticides and other relevant agrochemical products is to ensure that only products that meet applicable requirements for quality, safety and efficacy are available for use in Nigeria. This mandate positions the Agency as Nigeria’s principal gatekeeper against unsafe agrochemical products entering the food and agricultural value chain.
In 2022, NAFDAC reviewed pesticide active ingredients registered in Nigeria using the NAFDAC Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS) database, scientific evidence and input from relevant experts and stakeholders. The review considered the risks to human health and the environment, national regulations and relevant international requirements. Regulatory decisions were based on the level of risk, whether the risks could be adequately controlled, and whether safer and effective alternatives were available. Where risks could not be sufficiently managed, NAFDAC took appropriate action, including restrictions, reclassification, phase-out or prohibition.
As of 1 January 2026, all applicable phase-out periods under NAFDAC’s completed regulatory measures have ended. Affected products can no longer be manufactured, imported, distributed, sold or used in Nigeria.
These include products containing active ingredients such as paraquat, chlorpyrifos and atrazine, among others. In addition, NAFDAC has restricted the 100 ml pack size of Dichlorvos (DDVP), prohibiting its importation, manufacture and open market/supermarket sale, following documented concerns regarding its misuse on some agricultural produce. Other permitted pack sizes remain subject to applicable regulatory controls.
Nevertheless, the circulation of prohibited, unregistered, falsified and otherwise illegally marketed pesticide products remains a concern requiring sustained regulatory attention. The Agency is particularly concerned with the illegal movement of pesticides across national borders and through informal supply channels. Products prohibited in Nigeria may be diverted through neighboring countries or introduced through unauthorized routes, while products that have not undergone the required Nigerian regulatory assessment may find their way into local markets.
Despite the completion of the phase-out period and the full prohibition of paraquat, atrazine and others, NAFDAC’s surveillance and enforcement activities continue to uncover products containing the banned actives in circulation. In 2025, the Agency conducted seizure of banned agrochemical worth over ₦800m from Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo States. Between September 2024 and July 2026; enforcement operations in the North-West Zone alone resulted in the seizure, interception or custody of 2,974 cartons of pesticides containing banned paraquat with approximate value of 148.7 million naira. Suspects were arrested and one of them is currently under prosecution.
Similarly, 120 cartons of chlorpyrifos containing pesticides worth more than 17 million were seized within the same period. More recently, 5619 cartons, equivalent to 67,428 litres and 500 cartons equivalent to 5000kg of banned paraquat and atrazine respectively were intercepted in Kebbi. These interceptions after the effective date of the ban indicate that the challenge extends beyond residual stocks to illegal importation, unauthorized local production and distribution.
Beside finished products, packaging materials for illicit manufacture of registered and unregistered pesticides have also been intercepted. The recent seizure of packaging materials at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport from unauthorized persons is an example. In July 2026, NAFDAC sealed four unauthorized agrochemical and pesticide manufacturing facilities in Bichi, Kano State, where officers encountered unlabeled products, bulk materials and packaging materials linked to illicit agrochemical production. These findings highlight the need for continued vigilance against illegal importation and potential counterfeiting.
NAFDAC is therefore strengthening collaboration with relevant government institutions, including MDAs and law enforcement authorities, to share information, detect and stop illegal pesticides, strengthen monitoring of pesticides in the market, and take enforcement action against those who violate the law. No business interest or desire for profit will justify the illegal importation, distribution or sale of banned or non-compliant pesticides. NAFDAC will work with relevant authorities to identify, seize and remove illegal products from the market and take appropriate enforcement action against those who violate Nigeria’s pesticide regulations.
It is important to note that the problem is not only the importation, distribution and sale of illegal pesticides. Even approved pesticides can become harmful when they are not used correctly. Although NAFDAC does not oversee raw agricultural products, it frequently monitors them to track pesticide usage. A recent market study on beans revealed pesticide residues—specifically pyrethroids and dimethoate—exceeding safe limits. While dimethoate is globally accepted for treating crops in the field, it is neither approved nor effective for preserving harvested beans against pests like weevils. Conversely, while pyrethroids are permitted for post-harvest storage, users must strictly follow the required withholding period before consumption. Ultimately, the risk stems not from these chemicals themselves, but from improper application.
Pesticide misuse may include:
- Applying pesticides at rates exceeding approved recommendations.
- Using products on crops or against pests for which they are not recommended
- Harvesting crops before the relevant pre-harvest interval.
- Mixing products inappropriately.
- Storing pesticides alongside food, animal feed or household items.
- Reusing empty pesticide containers for domestic purposes.
- Disposing of pesticide residues and containers improperly.
The improper use of pesticides can expose farmers, farm workers, consumers, animals and the environment to harm. Hence farmers and other pesticide users must use only approved products, follow label instructions, apply the correct amount as specified on product label because food safety starts at the farm.
Nigeria’s agricultural future depends not only on producing more food, but on producing food that is safe, acceptable to consumers and competitive in domestic and international markets. Pesticide residues exceeding applicable Maximum Residue Limits may create food safety concerns and contribute to the rejection of agricultural consignments where regulatory requirements are not met.
NAFDAC is strengthening regulatory oversight across the pesticides and agrochemical supply chain to protect the public from substandard, falsified, adulterated, unregistered, and otherwise non-compliant products. Some of the regulatory measures include:
- Registration and scientific assessment of pesticide products before they are allowed on the Nigerian market, including field evaluation of new pesticides, biopesticides and other agrochemical products.
- Inspection and oversight of facilities involved in the manufacture, importation, storage and distribution of pesticides.
- Port and border control, including regulatory checks on imported pesticides to verify their registration status, documentation and compliance with approved requirements, in collaboration with relevant border and law-enforcement agencies.
- Verification to confirm that products are registered, genuine and supported by valid regulatory documentation.
- Market surveillance and sampling, including laboratory testing where necessary, to detect counterfeit, substandard or non-compliant products.
- Monitoring of points of sale to identify and remove illegal or counterfeit pesticides from the market.
- Training and Capacity Building for Farmers and Agro-Input Dealers help users identify genuine products and understand the risks of using counterfeit or unapproved pesticides. Over 2000 agro-input dealers have been trained so far and the process is ongoing.
- Enforcement action against individuals and businesses involved in the illegal manufacture, importation, distribution, sale or possession of non-compliant pesticides. This may include seizure, withdrawal, recall, sanctions and prosecution, where applicable under the law.
- Increasing Investigation and Enforcement Zonal Offices from three to six to cover all the six geographical zones
- Collaboration with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to strengthen enforcement, improve information sharing and protect the agricultural value chain.
The Agency calls on all stakeholders to play their part in keeping pesticides safe and compliant.
- Manufacturers and importers should ensure that all pesticide products meet NAFDAC’s regulatory requirements before they are manufactured or brought into Nigeria.
- Distributors and agro-input dealers should source pesticides only through legitimate channels and should not sell banned, unregistered, falsified or otherwise non-compliant products.
- Farmers and other pesticide users should buy only from listed agro-input dealers, read and follow the approved label instructions, use the recommended amount and observe the required waiting period before harvest.
- Consumers and members of the public should remain vigilant, and report suspected illegal or unsafe pesticide products and practices to NAFDAC nearest office or through its official reporting channels. nafdac@nafdac.gov.ng or reforms@nafdac.gov.ng
In conclusion, pesticide safety is a shared responsibility. While NAFDAC’s regulatory oversight extends to pesticides as well as processed and branded food items, it does not cover raw agricultural produce. Consequently, inter-agency cooperation is essential across all levels of government to safeguard public health and ensure nationwide food safety.
Protecting public health and supporting agriculture are not competing goals we need both. Farmers need access to effective agricultural inputs, but these products must be safe, approved and used responsibly. NAFDAC will continue to regulate pesticides, remove harmful and non-compliant products from the market and take appropriate enforcement action where the rules are breached. The Agency will also continue to work with government, industry, farmers and other stakeholders to promote the safe and responsible use of pesticides, thereby protecting our people, our food sovereignty and our environment.
Thank you.
Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, FAS
Director-General
