The Alliance for Action on Pesticides in Nigeria (AAPN) has raised the alarm over the widespread use and poorly regulated distribution of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) across Nigeria.

Speaking at the media briefing on Thursday in Abuja, Professor Simon Irtwange, Co-Founder of AAPN, decried a situation where farmers are provided with agricultural inputs such as chemical fertilizers and harmful pesticides by various government ministries, departments and agencies, including those facilitated by legislators, and development partners in the country.

Irtwange pointed out that Nigeria loses about $362.5 million yearly due to the ban on its beans exports to the European Union because of high pesticide residues.

While acknowledging the significant role of pesticides in Nigerian agriculture, he, however, expressed regret on the misuse of pesticides which have posed bigger challenges across public health, trade, and environmental domains, even when viable alternatives and innovations in Nigeria and globally are on the fast increase.

According to him, “A critical concern is that a significant portion of these pesticides fall under the category of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs).

“Over 65% of the active ingredients in pesticides used in Nigeria are classified as highly hazardous, many of which are banned or strictly regulated in other countries due to serious health and environmental risks.

“While the intention behind these distributions is often to support farmers and increase productivity, the reality is far more dangerous.

“Organisations such as the WOFAN, ThriveAgric, Nuru Nigeria, CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme, political parties tokens, and trade associations pilots have all participated, often unknowingly, in distributing inputs that include extremely toxic pesticides.

“These substances are linked to acute poisoning, cancers, neurological damage, and environmental harm.

“This is not merely a matter of good intentions gone wrong, it is a matter of public safety.

“The problem is compounded by weak regulatory oversight, limited farmer education, and poor enforcement mechanisms.

“Many distributors and users are unaware of the dangers posed by these chemicals, which contribute to their misuse and excessive application.”

As a result, he pointed out, that Nigeria currently faces growing threats to human health, food safety, and agricultural trade due to the unchecked spread of HHPs.

He added that the current situation demands immediate and coordinated action to protect Nigerians, their food systems and environment.

Commenting on the magnitude of pesticides registered in Nigeria, he said: “Nigeria currently registers and allows over 400 pesticide formulations, more than 50% of which are considered highly hazardous, and most of them have been banned by regulatory authorities in the EU, the United States, and parts of Asia.

“These include chemicals used widely in Nigeria’s food production systems and distributed through constituency projects, often branded as agricultural support; farmer groups and associations acting in support of their members; philanthropic donations aimed at food security and development impact.”

Irtwange lamented that due to weak regulations, inadequate farmers’ training, lack of monitoring systems, and poor labeling, these chemicals are used without precaution and distributed without accountability.

Providing data on the pesticide use in Nigeria, he explained that Nigeria utilises approximately 23,400 metric tons of pesticides per year in agriculture and other sectors.

Quoting the report of Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, he said, “As of 2017, Nigerian farmers and agro-based companies spend approximately $400 million each year on pesticides”

Continuing, he said, “More than 50% of pesticides registered in Nigeria are highly hazardous, and over 80% of what is distributed to smallholder farmers is banned or phased out in the EU and US.

“More than half of all pesticide products registered in Nigeria have been withdrawn or heavily restricted in the European Union due to safety concerns.

“More than 50% of pesticides registered in Nigeria are highly hazardous, and over 80% of what is distributed to smallholder farmers is banned or phased out in the EU and US.

“Unregulated and inappropriate pesticide application is common, with a widespread practice of mixing multiple chemicals (pesticide cocktails) without adequate knowledge of their risks, increasing synergistic toxicity.”

On its health effects, he said: “Up to 75% of surveyed women farmers attribute health challenges to pesticide use, and more than 80% of pesticides used by smallholders are classified as hazardous.

“Frequent health issues include respiratory problems, skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, eye irritation, and in chronic cases, endocrine disruption, immune malfunction, neurotoxicity, reproductive disorders, and various cancers.

“A high-profile tragedy occurred in 2020, when over 270 people died in Benue State due to pesticide contamination of a community river.”

On the effects of pesticides on the international trade, Irtwange said, more than 76% of Nigerian agricultural exports are routinely rejected by the EU on safety grounds, including pesticides banned internationally but still legal in Nigeria.

“In the past decade, rejections have also affected sesame seeds, melon seeds, dried fish, peanut chips, groundnut, palm oil, and yam.

“These trade restrictions not only result in direct financial losses but also damage the country’s international reputation,” he said.

He further explained that high use of pesticides have grave consequences on the environment, as they contaminate soil, water bodies, and harm non-target organisms.

He said: “Studies report reduced soil fertility and disrupted soil microbial life, leading to diminished land productivity.

“Wildlife—including pollinators and aquatic life—are at risk from pesticide runoff, affecting ecosystem health and food web dynamics.

“Agrochemical residues have been found in water, soil, and local food supplies, compounding exposure risks for rural populations.

“Where are farmers getting these from – the government, politicians, philanthropic organisations, some of which even hope to promote organic and sustainable agriculture, but end up killing the environment, destroying our fertile soil, and making people sick with cancer, reproductive health issues, chronic health diseases, organic failures and all sadly, in a country, where over 80% of hospitals and health clinics can hardly functions and medical workers running out of the country, or executive strike actions.

Also speaking, Barr. Oreoluwa Adelakun, Convener, AAPN, called attention to the ongoing failures of regulatory agencies of government such as National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to fulfil their statutory mandates.

According to Adelakun, “Despite the grave public health risks, there is no continuous visible enforcement of bans or restrictions on known toxic pesticides persist, just one off arrest; no robust public warning systems to inform consumers, farmers and farm assocations, or dealers; no tracking or sanctions for violators who import, distribute, or sell HHPs and no framework requiring organisations that distribute pesticides to be trained or held accountable for adverse impacts on end users.

“Regulatory inaction has created an environment where any group, regardless of knowledge or training, can distribute dangerous inputs to unsuspecting farming communities under the banner of help.This must stop.”

She, therefore, called on the legislators, Ministry of Agriculture, philanthropists, non-governmental organisations to include bio-pesticides, organic fertilizers, agroecological practices manual & IECs, and Integrated Pest Management kits in their constituency programmes, input support schemes, donations, extension services programmes and budget line items.

She added that they should ensure that farmers, especially smallholders, have access to non-toxic, affordable alternatives to chemical pesticides. (Daily Independent)