The document summarizes the formation and goals of the Alliance for Action on Pesticide in Nigeria (AAPN). The AAPN is a coalition of NGOs, academics and experts seeking to increase awareness and improve pesticide regulation in Nigeria. Its goals are to phase out highly hazardous pesticides, promote more sustainable farming practices, and establish measures to prevent future pesticide hazards. The AAPN has four working groups focusing on gathering evidence, rethinking agricultural practices, improving laws/regulations, and increasing public awareness. It has over 40 member organizations and has already achieved banning some pesticides and increased government engagement on the issues. Challenges include weak regulations, corruption, lack of alternative farming support and public awareness

1. ALLIANCE FOR ACTION ON PESTICIDE IN NIGERIA
(AAPN)

2. BACKGROUND
• On 28 October 2021, over 40 CSOs, NGOs, Academia and Independent Nigerian
scientist converged to deliberate the threats of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHP) in
Nigeria, and the impact this has on our planet and people. This meeting birthed the
formation of the Alliance for Action on Pesticide in Nigeria (AAPN), a coalition of
NGOs, academia and experts who seek to increase awareness and demand improved
regulation of the pesticides market in Nigeria.
Goal of AAPN
To phasing out all Highly Hazardous Pesticides
(HHP), obsolete and adulterated pesticide
from Nigeria and West Africa, and establish
measures to help prevent the recurrence of
pesticide hazards in the region, through
synergy for evidence based advocacy, public
sensitization, training and strengthening of
institutions on pesticide hazards, emphasizing
the promotion of more sustainable nature
friendly farm systems and healthy safer foods.

3. Working Group 1 Working Group 2 Working Group 3 Working Group 4
- What We Do and Our Working Group
Science, Evidence and
Research:
• Investigate the Human and
Environmental Costs of Pesticide Use
• Gather evidences of pesticide hazard
across Nigeria and Africa
• Collection and development of
economic models around agroecology
and organic farm systems and
businesses
• Development of a data base on
pesticide registration, import, use and
promoters.
• Inform academic and sector
interaction on pesticide use and
organic farm systems.
• Tracking pesticide entry and training
on data collection on pesticide
hazards
• The economics of the nature based
alternatives – market survey, business
plans and incentives for organic and
agroecology
• Scenario development and model
building around pesticide use and
alternatives.
Rethinking Agricultural
Practices:
Detoxifying Our Food and farm
practices via
• Trainings and promotion of on-farm
learning and skills acquisition on safe
and healthy farm systems like organic
agriculture, organic farming,
integrated pest management
practices, etc.
• Promote the set-up and works of
agroecology farms, organic handouts,
training on sustainable healthy farms,
etc.
• Organise exhibitions and field tours
on organic-agroecological solutions
for food sustainability and
biodiversity restoration.
• Support policies and capacity building
on organic agriculture and
regenerative farm systems.
• Work with governments and
individuals to set-up organic and
agroecological farms and
afforestation programs
Insufficient Laws,
Regulation & Double
Standards on Pesticide
 Block the entry channels of HHP in
Nigeria and West Africa.
 Support global pressure to stop the
export of HHP into Africa.
 Call for local and international
investment/aids towards healthy
nature friendly and responsible farm
systems in Nigeria-Africa.
 Reduce support and dependence on
HHP and conventional farm systems.
 Demand ERP on all Pesticide products,
projects and related programs.
 Introduce and improve regulations and
laws that govern pesticide in Nigeria
and Africa.
 Support government in the
development and implementation of
phase-out frameworks for HHP in
Nigeria and neighbouring.
 Support the development of skills on
agroecology and support the upscale of
organic and agroecological farms.
Communication and
Public Awareness:
• Increase consumer and farmers
awareness on hazards of HHPs in
Nigeria.
• Amplify the narrative of 100% safe
organic farm practices like agroecology
works and is sustainable
• Support the showcasing and exhibition
of organic solution and agroecology
• Debunk the safety myth of HHP in cases
where local realities cannot guarantee
the affordability of safety on HHP from
farmers.
• Simplify complex messages, policies,
research and model on pesticide
hazards and the nature based
alternatives.
• Bring to public knowledge the
experiences of victims of pesticide
hazards.
• Led investigative journalism and public
debates on HHP entrance and use in
Nigeria, as well as the potential of
rough nature based farm system such
as agroecology in Nigeria.

4. Achievements from 28 Oct to Date
• The AAPN in a very short time, was able to put a strong submission on the proposed Pesticide Council Bill – the position of the AAPN created a
rancor and unveil the CropLife move of controlling the Nigerian Agriculture- Pesticide Space through the Bill.
• The strong and loud position of the AAPN caused a strong halt of the Pesticide Council Bill, which would have opened the space for more HHP
in Nigeria.
• AAPN is now part of the Legislative Technical Committee reviewing the proposed Pesticide Council Bill.
• Following the launch of the second report “Time for a Detox in Agriculture: Pesticide Use in Four States in Nigeria’ on 25 November 2021 by
AAPN, TNI and HBS, the Federal Ministry of Health issued a memo to agencies under its ministry on the need to urgently take actions to
improve regulation of highly hazardous pesticides in Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Health has also reached out to HBS to support the
improvement and review of the Food
• Safety Bill 2019 (under amendment in NASS). The Ministry of Health is also engaging agencies under her like NAFDAC to improve the
regulations on pesticide,
• NAFDAC expressed its intent to review and update the list of banned pesticides in Nigeria, using the EU regulations as a benchmark. They
have contacted hbs and AAPN severally for information since on the list of EU banned pesticide, which we have given them.
• NAFDAC expressed its intent to review and update the list of banned pesticides in Nigeria, using the EU regulations as a benchmark. They
have contacted hbs and AAPN severally for information since on the list of EU banned pesticide, which we have given them. The actual
outcomes and steps taken remain to be seen however. NAFDAC has also publically expressed her readiness to ensure Nigeria is not a dumping
ground for EU pesticide. However, NAFDAC also refutes the report that 40% of registered pesticides are banned in Europe are in Nigeria. The
AAPN is putting more evidence to put pressure on NAFDAC to improve its ban pesticide list.
• 28 February - 1 March 2022: The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) in collaboration with HBS and the AAPN,
organised a North West Geopolitical Zone on Environmental Impact of Pesticide. FMARD is committed to taking this training across the regions,
some strong awakening within the govt and resolutions. However, a lot of handholding at both federal and state levels is needed.
• On 7 March 2022, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has banned 8 HHPs- Neonicotinoid pesticide, as well as
Chlorpyrifos active ingredients and variant Chlorpyrifos-methyl including Blocade, Cortilan, OleoRel, Pyrinex and Reldan 22

5. Evidence of Achievement from October 28 – To Date

6. AAPN and Members Taking Action: We
Support Each Others Work.

8. PENDING CHALLENGES
Weak and Over
Lapping Regulatory
Agencies:
No collaboration,
no clear operational
jurisdiction of
enforcement
agencies.
EU Double
Standard &
Nigerians-ECOWAS
weak stance on
Double standard
Corruption and
possible conflict
of interest
among Govt.
Officials in
Pesticide Deals
Skewed Govt
Public Finance
Investment,
Incentives and
Policies towards
Convention Agric
and Pesticide
Poor
collaboration
and competition
among and
within MDAs in
charge of food
safety
Govt none-
disclosure and
denial i.e.
NAFDAC refuting
empirical report,
and gives no
details of Reg.
Pesticide.
No Pesticide Law:
Proposed Pesticide
Council Bill is not
people centered
and lacks
credibility: need for
an alternative
Public awareness on
pesticide hazard on
human &
environmental health
is low – not many
local records esp.
health data
Poor
monitoring
of channels
of HHP into
the country
International
Developmental
Support/Aids for
Agric Sector
favors more
Convention Agric
and Pesticide
The Safety Narrative
that puts all the
blame of pesticide
hazards on farmers
not government,
promoters or traders
of HHP
No Law on
Labelling Band
for level of
toxicity on
pesticide
brands
Food
Safety Bill
is silent on
Pesticide
Poor
mobilization &
support of
organic -
agroecology
practitioners
Scalability or
Commercial
Viability for
Nature Based
Alternatives
Fault narrative
that food
sustainability
cannot be
achieved without
synthetic
chemicals and
GMO
CropLife and
their goal to
influence laws
to ease
pesticide inflow
for their
members
Poor
mobilization &
support of
organic -
agroecology
practitioners
low
Capacity

9. Opportunities & Advantages
He have evidences of
pesticide hazards and
studies to show
FMARD – food safety
unit and FISS have
recognized the work of
the Alliance and
Reaching out for
collaboration
We have a Dept. of
Organic
Agriculture in
FMARD
Existence of
Organic farmer
groups in Nigeria.
We have a
Pesticide Council
Bill, that needs
reworking.
We have a food
safety bill that can
inform pesticide
use and regulation
Faith based groups
are talking of safe
foods. We can use the
Church and Mosque
We have silo
groups & demo
farms on nature
based alternatives.
We have identified
members of NASS
pushing issues on
food issues
We have regulations and
laws to hold HHP
promoters responsible –
NESREA EPR regulation
There is a Global push
toward more healthy
sustainable food
systems.
Everybody wants to
stay healthy
We have members of
AANP doing great
work on the issues in
various aspects
International Allies
and Campaigns are
also on the issues.
Pesticide Action
Network (PAN) and
other green
international orgs.
Nigeria’s signatory
to International
convention and
treaties.
2023 Election:
making food safety
and biodiversity loss
a political issue
Ongoing EU
double
standard
campaign
Countless evidence
in public space of
the problem cased
by CropLife members
Passionate & Credible Members

10. Media Link:
• Dataphyte (December 8, 2021): 15 Faults with the Bill to Establish Nigerian Pesticide Council – Group. https://www.dataphyte.com/latest-reports/15-faults-with-the-bill-to-establish-
nigerian-pesticide-council-group/
• Inside Business (December 9, 2021): Banned Pesticides In Europe Flood Nigerian Markets. https://insidebusiness.ng/177708/banned-pesticides-in-europe-flood-nigerian-markets/
• International Centre for Investigative Report (December 9, 2021): Danger looms with Nigerian Pesticide Council Bill, coalition says. https://www.icirnigeria.org/danger-looms-with-nigerian-
pesticide-council-bill-coalition-says/
• Vanguard Newspaper (December 10, 2021)…as NAFDAC, AAAPN reject Pesticides Control Bill By Levinus Nwabughiogu-Abuja. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/12/covid-19-reps-urge-fg-
migrated-workers/
• BluePrint Newspaper (December 5, 2021): AAPN raises the alarm over inflow of banned, expired pesticides into Nigeria. https://www.blueprint.ng/aapn-raises-the-alarm-over-inflow-of-
banned-expired-pesticides-into-nigeria/
• All Africa (28 November 2021): Nigeria: How Abuja Farmers Use Organic Pesticides, Disease Control to Reduce Climate Change Effects. https://allafrica.com/stories/202111290015.html
• The Street Journal (December 10, 2021): COVID-19: Reps Urge FG Migrated Workers. https://thestreetjournal.org/covid-19-reps-urge-fg-migrated-workers/
• Premium Times (November 27, 2021): Nigerian farmers using large amount of toxic pesticides banned in EU — Report. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/497623-nigerian-
farmers-using-large-amount-of-toxic-pesticides-banned-in-eu-report.html
• AgNews (November 29, 2021): The Alliance for Action on Pesticide in Nigeria (AAPN) calls to look into the gaps in pesticide regulation. https://news.agropages.com/News/print-41128.htm#
• Regent Times (November 26, 2021): Coalition moves to stop use of highly hazardous pesticides. https://regenttimes.com/2021/11/26/coalition-moves-to-stop-use-of-highly-hazardous-
pesticides/
• Quick News Africa (November 26, 2021): Coalition moves to stop use of highly hazardous pesticide. https://quicknews-africa.net/coalition-moves-to-stop-use-of-highly-hazardous-pesticide/
• Real News Magazine (November 26, 2021): Coalition moves to stop use of highly hazardous pesticide. https://realnewsmagazine.net/news/112648-Coalition-moves-to-stop-use-of-highly-
hazardous-pesticide
• BataTV.com (November 27, 2021): Nigerian farmers using large amount of toxic pesticides banned in EU — Report. https://batatv.com/2021/11/27/nigerian-farmers-using-large-amount-of-
toxic-pesticides-banned-in-eu-report/
• Expressive Naija (December 9, 2021): ALERT! Banned Pesticides In Europe Flood Nigerian Markets. https://www.empressivenaija.com/2021/12/alert-banned-pesticides-in-europe-flood.html
• Premium Times Hausa (November 28, 2021): FESHIN MUTUWA: Manoman Najeriya na amfanin da maganin ƙwarin da aka haramta fesawa a ƙasashen Turai – Rahoto.
https://hausa.premiumtimesng.com/2021/11/feshin-mutuwa-manoman-najeriya-na-amfanin-da-maganin-%C6%99warin-da-aka-haramta-fesawa-a-%C6%99asashen-turai-rahoto/
• Channels TV (December 11, 2021): How We Can End Dangerous Use Of Pesticide On Crops - Stakeholders. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG4ls9-_UfI

11. Member of the AAPN: Open to More
• ActionAid Nigeria
• All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN)
• Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria
(AOAPN),
• Barns Connect
• Be-the-Help Foundation
• BFA Food and Health Foundation
• Caritas Nigeria
• Cal-Maji Foundation
• Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria
• Centre for Environmental Education and Development (CEED)
• Coalition Against Paraquat (CAP)
• Development Initiative for Change and Empowerment (DICE)
• Environmental Right Association
• ENARMAC Nigeria
• Ever Greening Foundation
• Farm and Infrastructure Foundation (FIF)
• Federation of Agricultural Commodities of Nigeria (FACAN)
• Friends of the Earth Nigeria
• Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF)
• Heinrich Boell Stiftung Nigeria
• Independent Researchers, Academia, Medical Laboratory Scientists & Public Health
Analysts.
• Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC)
• Nigerian Women Agro Allied Farmers Association (NIWAAFA),
• National Association of Nigeria Traders (NANTS)
• SUSTAINABLE Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV Nigeria)
• Small Women Holder Farmers of Nigeria (SWOFON),
• Trade Network Initiative (TN)
• T.R.E.E Initiative,
• The National Organic Livestock and Crops Industry Value Chain Programme,
• Trade Network Initiative (TNI)
• Women Empowerment Program (WEP)
• Other individual experts and professionals… Ayoola Kasim, Queen Kunde, Ruth Tene,
Prof. Chucks, Prof Ekere, Prof Simon Irtwange, etc

12. Members of the Alliance
(online and off-line)
12-13 April 2022