NAFDAC says dangerous pesticides are still being sold in Nigeria, and some of our food may carry unsafe pesticide residues because of how chemicals are used. Here’s what you need to know, from your friends at Me & You Pharma.
What Happened?
NAFDAC says banned pesticides are still being sold in Nigeria despite the ban. Paraquat, chlorpyrifos, and atrazine became illegal to make, import, sell, or use on January 1, 2026, and the agency has since seized or intercepted large quantities across several states, including products worth over ₦800 million in 2025, thousands of cartons of paraquat in Kebbi, and four illegal factories sealed in Kano. NAFDAC also restricted the 100 ml pack of DDVP (an organophosphate poisonous to humans used in preserving beans and crayfish) because of its misuse on food, while 1-litre products are restricted to certified agrochemical outlets. The agency warned that even approved pesticides can leave unsafe residues on food if they are overused or crops are harvested too soon. A recent NAFDAC study found residues above safe limits in beans. Consumers should report suspected illegal or unsafe pesticides through NAFDAC’s official channels.
Why it matters to your health
Pesticides protect crops, but banned products and careless use can harm farmers, consumers, animals, and the environment.
What you can do
If you farm or use pesticides:
- Buy only from trusted agro-input dealers.
- Make sure the product is registered for your crop and pest.
- Follow the label, and wait the full period between spraying and harvest.
- Never use pesticides to preserve harvested food unless the label says it’s approved for that.
- Store chemicals away from food and animal feed, and never reuse empty containers at home.
If you’re a consumer:
- Wash produce well before eating. This helps, but it doesn’t remove every trace of pesticide.
- Don’t buy pesticides from suspicious sellers. Being sold in a market doesn’t make a product safe.
- Report suspected illegal pesticides to NAFDAC at nafdac@nafdac.gov.ng or reforms@nafdac.gov.ng.
When to speak with a healthcare professional
If you or someone else may have been exposed to a pesticide or feels unwell after handling one, get medical help promptly, and go to emergency care if it may be serious. Don’t induce vomiting or try home remedies. Keep the product label or packaging so health workers can identify what was involved.
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