The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has heightened its nationwide enforcement drive to eliminate illicit, counterfeit, and prohibited agricultural chemicals from the market.
The heightened measures aim to safeguard public health, secure the national food supply, and protect the environment from toxic chemical exposure caused by rogue operators across the agricultural sector.
During a recent operational briefing, NAFDAC Director-General Professor Mojisola Adeyeye revealed that ongoing countrywide operations have resulted in major interceptions of prohibited substances valued at over 800 million Naira. She says Surveillance activities across northwestern states alone uncovered thousands of cartons containing banned compounds such as paraquat and chlorpyrifos. The agency noted that all grace periods allowing for the gradual phase-out of these harmful chemicals expired on January 1, 2026, making any further import, production, or sale illegal.
Professor Adeyeye noted that in addition to market confiscations, enforcement officers recently shut down four unapproved manufacturing centers operating illegally in Bichi, Kano State. The regulatory watchdog warned that improperly used or fake agrochemicals contaminate food crops, pointing out market samples of grains that contained unsafe residue levels of unapproved preservation chemicals.
“To address the issue at the foundational level, the regulatory authority has conducted capacity-building workshops for over two thousand certified agro-input merchants to encourage responsible sales practices and genuine product sourcing. Users and growers are strongly urged to acquire chemicals exclusively through verified outlets, strictly adhere to application guidelines, and observe post-application waiting periods before harvesting crops for public consumption” The agencies boss stated.
Concluding the update, NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to deepening partnerships with law enforcement bodies to disrupt clandestine supply lines and prosecute violators.
The agency appealed to commercial farmers, distributors, and consumers to remain vigilant and promptly notify regulatory offices of any suspicious or uncertified agrochemicals circulating in their local markets.
You Might Also Like
