Joel Ajayi

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s agricultural sector have called for urgent action to stop the spread of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in Nigeria, citing risks to public health, environment and trade.

They made the call on Thursday at a news conference in Abuja, which had the theme: “Stop the Spread of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs).”

They harped on the need for coordinated efforts to prioritise food safety, health, transparency and accountability in agricultural policies and support programmes.

Oreoluwa Adelakun, Convener, The Alliance for Action on Pesticides in Nigeria (AAPN), said the organisation had partnered with other stakeholders in the sector to raise awareness about the hazards of pesticides.

She added that it had also sought to promote sustainable agriculture practices.

Adelakun emphasised the importance of safeguarding the nation’s health by regulating pesticide use via government agencies’ efforts thereby minimising the risks associated with pesticide use and promoting safer alternatives.

”With over 65% of active ingredients in pesticides used in Nigeria being toxic to humans and the environment, the need for stricter regulations cannot be overstated,” she said.

She said that AAPN’s efforts had led to the training of over 100,000 farmers on organic pest control methods, and they continued to advocate for policy changes to regulate pesticide use.

According to her, by banning and phasing out hazardous pesticides, Nigeria can reduce the risks of pesticide-related illnesses and deaths, protect the environment and promote sustainable agriculture practices.

Adelakun also urged the government to launch public awareness campaigns and take rigorous enforcement actions against violators.

“The use of HHPs in Nigeria has severe health and environmental implications.

“Pesticide poisoning is a significant public health concern, with an estimated 200,000 Nigerians dying yearly from food poisoning,” she said.

The AAPN convener called for immediate and coordinated actions to checkmate sale of banned and toxic pesticides on both open markets and online platforms, where they are easily accessible to anyone.

She called on agencies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to clamp down on the sale and distribution of HHPs, especially online.

Adelakun said that this was to protect the Nigerian populace and its valuable agricultural sector.

Prof. Simon Irtwange, Co-Founder, AAPN, noted that some of these chemicals are still available for farmers to purchase which posed a critical concern.

He said that over 65% of the active ingredients used in the chemicals are highly hazardous and banned in many other countries.

“Nigeria currently uses approximately 23,400 metric tons of pesticides annually, with over 50% of registered formulations classified as hazardous.

“This systemic failure, compounded by weak regulation and a lack of farmer training, poses a severe threat to public safety and the environment,” he said.

Irtwange said the consequences of this unregulated pesticide use had devastating health effects ranging from acute poisoning to chronic issues like cancer and neurological damage.

He added that economically, Nigeria faced a staggering $362.5 million loss yearly due to the EU’s ban on its bean exports and a high rejection rate for other agricultural products because of pesticide residue.

On his part, Dr Farouk Rabiu-Mudi, the National President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), said that as Nigeria took steps to ensure food safety, it was essential for the government to continue working with stakeholders.

He said that government and stakeholders could work to promote sustainable agriculture practices and protect public health.

The AFAN president noted that by doing so, Nigeria could ensure a healthier and more sustainable food system for its citizens.

He also emphasised the importance of promoting safer alternatives such as bio-pesticides and organic fertilisers.

Rabiu-Mudi called for mandatory training and distribution oversight for organisations distributing pesticides.

Joyce Brown, the Director of programmes, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), noted that environmentally, these chemicals contaminated soil and water, harming ecosystems and diminishing land productivity.

She called on the government to take decisive action to protect public health and the environment by implementing and enforcing effective pesticide regulations.

“These pesticides are toxic and potentially harmful to human health and the environment, and there is a need for stricter regulations to prevent the spread of HHPs in Nigeria,” she said.

NAN reports that NAFDAC had earlier banned highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) like Paraquat, Chlorpyrifos and Carbofuran.

These pesticides have been linked to various health problems, including organ failure, Parkinson’s Disease and child neurodevelopmental harm.