Reps seek ban on dangerous pesticides over health, environmental risks
The House of Representatives has taken preliminary steps to phase out the use of highly hazardous pesticides in the country, citing risks to public health, environmental safety, and food security.
At a plenary session on Wednesday, the lawmakers adopted a motion titled “Stoppage and mitigation of risks associated with the use of hazardous pesticides across Nigeria”, sponsored by a member of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Clement Jimbo.
Unregulated use of pesticides has been attributed to the degradation of ecosystems, posing risks to food and human safety.
The World Health Organisation recommended the classification of pesticides in 2020, owing to their health risks.
Speaking about the substance of the motion, Jimbo expressed concern over the widespread circulation and use of HHPs, noting that while pesticides are essential for protecting crops against pests and diseases, many of those in use pose grave threats to human health, biodiversity, and the environment.
Jimbo cited data showing that over 50 per cent of pesticides currently registered by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control are classified as highly hazardous.
According to him, nearly 60 per cent of the pesticides have already been banned in other countries due to their toxicity.
“About 70 per cent of suicides in Nigeria are linked to ingestion of Highly Hazardous Pesticides such as diclorvos, popularly sold under the brand name Sniper.
“The unregulated importation, distribution, and use of these chemicals not only harm farmers and consumers but also contaminate water sources and ecosystems,” Jimbo said.
The Akwa Ibom lawmaker cited several cases of pesticide-related tragedies, including the 2020 incident in Oyo Obi Community, Benue State, where over 270 people reportedly died after exposure to Endosulfan in a local river.
The House, after adopting the motion, directed the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Health and Social Development, and Environment, along with relevant non-governmental organisations, to immediately conduct a nationwide inventory and review of all Highly Hazardous Pesticides in circulation.
It also urged NAFDAC to strengthen its regulatory framework for pesticide importation, distribution, and use—particularly concerning HHPs—and to maintain an up-to-date list of banned substances.
It further tasked the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria to develop integrated pest management strategies and promote safer, more sustainable alternatives.
The lawmakers also mandated the Committees on Agricultural Production and Services and Environment to engage with stakeholders in creating a framework for the gradual phase-out and eventual ban of HHPs in the country.
The committees are expected to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
Jimbo stressed the urgency of the matter, warning that continued inaction could compromise Nigeria’s food security, breach international safety obligations, and increase long-term health and ecological costs.
“There are viable, homegrown alternatives to hazardous pesticides, and now is the time to prioritise them,” he added.
