The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has seized banned pesticides valued at over N800 million in four states.

Reports says that the illegal agrochemicals were confiscated during enforcement operations in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States in 2025.

Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this during a press briefing in Lagos on Friday, warning that circulation of prohibited pesticides poses serious threats to public health, food safety and agricultural exports.

Adeyeye said all phase-out periods for the affected products ended on January 1, 2026, making it illegal to manufacture, import, distribute, sell or use them in Nigeria.

The banned chemicals include paraquat, chlorpyrifos and atrazine. She added that the Agency has also restricted the 100ml pack size of dichlorvos, DDVP, banning its sale in open markets due to misuse on food produce.

According to her, the Agency has continued to record major seizures across the country. Between September 2024 and July 2026, operations in the North-West led to seizure of 2,974 cartons of paraquat worth about N148.7 million and 120 cartons of chlorpyrifos worth over N17 million.

In a recent operation in Kebbi State, NAFDAC intercepted 5,619 cartons of paraquat, equivalent to 67,428 litres, and 500 cartons of atrazine, equivalent to 5,000kg.

Adeyeye said in July 2026, the Agency also sealed four unauthorised agrochemical manufacturing facilities in Bichi, Kano State, where unlabeled products and bulk materials for illegal production were found.

She noted that the continued circulation of the products after the ban shows active smuggling through neighbouring countries and illegal local production, not just old stocks.

NAFDAC warned farmers and agro-dealers to buy only approved pesticides from licensed dealers, follow label instructions, observe pre-harvest intervals and report suspected illegal products.

Source: TVC News / NAFDAC