Concerns as banned agrochemicals remain in circulation
Agrochemicals, including herbicides, insecticides, fungicide, nematicides, have continued to remain important inputs used by farmers to confer protection on crops and also improve production and productivity. Because of their cost-effectiveness compared to manual weeding or hand-picking, many farmers have resorted to using chemicals during production cycles to prevent and control weeds, insects…
Concerns are mounting over the continued circulation of banned agrochemicals in Nigeria, as the country's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has banned their importation and distribution. These chemicals, including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and nematicides, are widely used by farmers to protect crops and improve production.
However, studies have shown that exposure to these chemicals can lead to severe health issues, including cancer, hormonal imbalances, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases.
Between 2022 and 2025, NAFDAC banned the importation and distribution of Paraquat and Atrazine, with a moratorium for the exhaustion of the available stock. Additionally, the agency prohibited the importation and manufacture of 100ml pack size of agricultural formulations of Dichlorvos, Diquat, Chlorpyrifos, Dieldrin, Parathion, and Aldrin.
Despite these bans, some stakeholders believe that banned agrochemicals are still in circulation, posing risks to farmers and consumers. The CropLife Nigeria (CLN), an umbrella body representing various stakeholders in the pesticide sector, has called for stronger enforcement of regulations to ensure compliance and safety.
The Alliance for Action on Pesticides in Nigeria (AAPN), a coalition of civil society organizations, farmers' groups, researchers, academics, and other stakeholders, has expressed concern over the misuse of pesticides and the high concentration of pesticide residues in Nigerian agricultural exports, particularly cowpea to the European Union.
The organization estimates that Nigeria loses about $362.5 million annually due to these bans. Professor Simon Irtwange, Co-Founder of AAPN, emphasized the dangers of highly hazardous pesticides, which are linked to acute poisoning, cancers, neurological damage, and environmental harm.
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