The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has stepped up its crackdown on banned, fake and substandard pesticides in Nigeria, warning that such products threaten public health and the safety of the country’s food.
In a statement dated 10 October 2026 and signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency said it would sustain surveillance and enforcement against the circulation of illegal agrochemicals.
NAFDAC said paraquat, chlorpyrifos and atrazine were phased out after scientific reviews and consultations with stakeholders, with bans taking effect on 1 January 2024, 1 November 2024 and 1 January 2025 respectively. All phase-out periods ended by 1 January 2026. The agency has also banned the importation, manufacture and open-market or supermarket sale of the 100 ml pack of dichlorvos, known as DDVP, over its misuse on agricultural produce.
The agency said its main concern is the movement of prohibited products through Nigeria’s borders and informal supply channels. Banned or unassessed pesticides can enter through neighbouring countries or unauthorised routes and end up in local markets, it noted.
NAFDAC cited recent operations as evidence. In 2025, it seized banned agrochemicals worth over ₦800 million in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States. In the North-West, enforcement between September 2024 and July 2026 led to the seizure, interception or custody of 2,974 cartons of paraquat-based pesticides valued at about ₦148.7 million, along with 120 cartons of chlorpyrifos-based products worth over ₦17 million.
More recently, operations in Kebbi State intercepted 5,619 cartons of paraquat-based products and 500 cartons of atrazine-based products. The agency also sealed four unauthorised pesticide and agrochemical manufacturing facilities in Bichi, Kano State.
NAFDAC said it is working with other government and law enforcement agencies to disrupt illegal supply chains and prosecute offenders.
The agency also cautioned that approved pesticides can be harmful when misused, for instance when applied incorrectly, used on unauthorised crops or when produce is harvested before the required waiting period has passed. It advised farmers to buy from legitimate agro-input dealers, follow label instructions, use recommended quantities, observe pre-harvest intervals and dispose of containers safely.
To support responsible use, NAFDAC said it has trained more than 2,000 agro-input dealers. Manufacturers, importers, distributors, dealers, farmers and the public were urged to comply with regulations and report suspected illegal or unsafe products to the nearest NAFDAC office, or by email to nafdac@nafdac.gov.ng and reforms@nafdac.gov.ng.
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