NAFDAC Raises Alarm Over Toxic Beans, Seizes N800m Pesticides

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised concerns over dangerous pesticide residues in beans after a market study detected chemicals above permitted safety limits in some samples.

The agency also disclosed that it seized banned agrochemicals worth more than N800 million in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states in 2025.

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, raised the alarm at a media briefing in Lagos. She warned that the continued circulation and misuse of prohibited pesticides threatened public health, agricultural safety and the environment.

The market study detected residues of pyrethroids and dimethoate above permitted safety limits in some bean samples. The findings have heightened concerns about the use of agricultural chemicals to preserve harvested beans against pests.

Adeyeye explained that dimethoate was not approved for preserving harvested beans against weevils and other pests. She added that approval to use a chemical on crops in the field did not automatically permit its use for post-harvest preservation.

Although certain pyrethroids could be used for post-harvest storage under approved conditions, she stressed that users must observe prescribed waiting periods before consuming the produce.

“NAFDAC is not against the responsible use of pesticides. Rather, the agency seeks to ensure that pesticides sold or used in Nigeria are safe, approved and compliant with regulatory requirements,” she said.

Adeyeye warned that improper application, excessive use and failure to observe recommended waiting periods before harvesting could expose farmers and consumers to harmful chemicals.

“Improper pesticide use can cause serious health problems, including death. Some effects may not appear immediately but can develop gradually over time,” she added.

The NAFDAC chief identified common violations, including applying pesticides beyond recommended quantities, using products on crops for which they were not approved, mixing chemicals improperly and harvesting before the prescribed pre-harvest interval.

She also warned against storing pesticides alongside food, animal feed or household items. Reusing empty pesticide containers for domestic purposes and improperly disposing of chemical waste could create additional health and environmental hazards.

“Food safety begins on the farm,” Adeyeye said, urging farmers to buy approved products, follow label instructions and observe all safety precautions.

She maintained that protecting consumers required responsible practices across the agricultural value chain, from manufacturers and importers to distributors, agro-input dealers and farmers.

Providing details of the agency’s enforcement activities, Adeyeye said operations in the North-West between September 2024 and July 2026 led to the seizure, interception or recovery of 2,974 cartons of pesticides containing paraquat.

The products had an estimated value of N148.7 million. Officers also intercepted 120 cartons of pesticides containing chlorpyrifos, valued at more than N17 million, during the same period.

In a separate operation in Kebbi State, NAFDAC intercepted 5,619 cartons containing 67,428 litres of paraquat. The agency also recovered 500 cartons of atrazine products.

The enforcement drive extended to Kano State, where the agency sealed four unauthorised pesticide and agrochemical manufacturing facilities in Bichi in July 2026.

According to Adeyeye, officers discovered unlabelled products, bulk chemicals and packaging materials linked to illegal production. She added that authorities had arrested suspects, with one case already undergoing prosecution.

She attributed the continued circulation of prohibited pesticides partly to illegal imports, unauthorised local production and distribution networks operating across Nigeria’s borders.

“These interceptions after the effective date of the ban indicate that the challenge extends beyond residual stocks to illegal importation, unauthorised local production and distribution,” she said.

Adeyeye disclosed that the phase-out periods for pesticides containing paraquat, chlorpyrifos and atrazine ended on January 1, 2026.

She said the chemicals could no longer legally be manufactured, imported, distributed, sold or used in Nigeria under the completed regulatory measures.

The director-general explained that NAFDAC reviewed registered pesticide active ingredients in 2022 using scientific evidence, its Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System database, and contributions from experts and other stakeholders.

The review considered potential risks to human health and the environment, alongside national regulations and international requirements.

Adeyeye also disclosed that the agency had restricted the 100ml pack size of dichlorvos. The restriction prohibits its importation, manufacture and open-market or supermarket sale because of concerns about its misuse on agricultural produce and its use in suicide.

Other permitted pack sizes remain subject to applicable regulatory controls.

To strengthen enforcement, NAFDAC is expanding its investigation and enforcement zonal offices from three to six. Adeyeye said the expansion would improve the agency’s regulatory coverage across the country.

She added that NAFDAC had trained more than 2,000 agro-input dealers on the responsible handling and application of agricultural chemicals.

Other measures include registering and scientifically assessing pesticide products before market entry, inspecting manufacturing and storage facilities, conducting border checks, carrying out market surveillance and testing samples in laboratories.

The agency also provides free interim testing for export products to help businesses meet safety standards and avoid shipment rejections in destination countries.

Adeyeye urged manufacturers and importers to comply with regulatory requirements. She advised distributors and agro-input dealers to source products through legitimate channels.

Farmers, she said, must purchase pesticides from recognised dealers, read product labels carefully, use only recommended quantities and observe prescribed waiting periods before harvesting.

“No business interest or desire for profit will justify the illegal importation, distribution or sale of banned or non-compliant pesticides,” Adeyeye said.

The Deputy Director of Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products at NAFDAC, Dr Idayat Mudshiru, said sustained engagement with farmers and other stakeholders remained essential to preventing pesticide misuse.

“NAFDAC continues to engage farmers and relevant stakeholders on the responsible use and application of pesticide products,” Mudshiru said.

She disclosed that the agency was collaborating with industry stakeholders, including CropLife, to improve public awareness and promote safe pesticide handling.

“The advocacy and education efforts are ongoing,” she added, calling for continued cooperation to protect consumers and the environment.

NAFDAC pledged to sustain enforcement, public education and stakeholder engagement to curb the circulation of prohibited pesticides and ensure that food reaching Nigerian households complies with applicable safety standards.