The House of Representatives has called for immediate action to end the use of hazardous pesticides across Nigeria’s agricultural sector, warning that their continued use poses grave risks to public health, food safety, and the environment.
During Wednesday’s plenary, lawmakers unanimously adopted a motion titled “Stoppage and Mitigation of Risks Associated with the Use of Hazardous Pesticides Across Nigeria”, sponsored by Hon. Clement Jimbo.
While leading the debate, Jimbo said that although pesticides play a vital role in crop protection, the widespread circulation of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) has become a serious national concern.
He cited data from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) showing that over 50 per cent of registered pesticides in Nigeria are classified as highly hazardous, many of which have already been banned in other countries.
According to Jimbo, about 70 per cent of suicides in Nigeria are linked to the ingestion of highly toxic pesticides such as Dichlorvos (DDVP), commonly sold under the brand name Sniper.
He warned that these chemicals’ unregulated importation and indiscriminate use have contaminated soil and water sources, threatening farmers, consumers, and the ecosystem.
“Reports indicate a growing number of pesticide poisoning cases and rejection of Nigerian food exports at international ports due to chemical residues,” Jimbo said.
“Research has shown that seven of the thirteen commonly used pesticide ingredients in Nigeria are carcinogenic.”
He recalled a 2020 incident in Oyo Obi community, Benue State, where more than 270 people reportedly died following contamination of a local river by the banned pesticide Endosulfan.
Beyond the pesticide debate, the House also urged the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment to revive moribund industries across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Lawmakers called for the inclusion of ₦350 million in the 2026 national budget to begin industrial resuscitation through the ministry’s Industrial Inspectorate Department.
Jimbo expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration would prioritise manufacturing revival, stressing that restoring key industries such as the Osogbo Steel Rolling Mill, Osogbo Machine Tools, and the Umuahia Ceramic Industry could stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and reduce import dependence.
The call for a ban on hazardous pesticides holds major implications for Nigeria’s agricultural sustainability.
Experts believe that controlling toxic agrochemicals could improve soil health, boost export quality, and protect farmers’ well-being, a step vital for achieving climate-smart and sustainable agriculture.
