Members of the West Agro Input Dealers Association (WAIDA) in the South-West region of Nigeria were officially granted Listing Permits by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday. This significant milestone followed the registration of agrochemical marketers in Nigeria by NAFDAC.
During a ceremony in Ibadan, NAFDAC’s South-West Regional Director, Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, presented the certificates to the agrochemical marketers. Ajayi emphasized that the initiative primarily targets chemicals, distinguishing it from the agency’s previous focus areas of water and drugs. She highlighted the global and national importance of chemical regulation and control due to the risks associated with the misuse and abuse of various chemicals.
Ajayi stressed that effective regulation of agrochemical products necessitates the active cooperation of stakeholders within the sector.
The listing of dealers aims to facilitate comprehensive monitoring and control of activities related to the distribution, storage, and sale of agrochemicals.
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This collaboration ensures that only approved chemicals from verified sources reach farmers and other end-users in Nigeria.
Alhaji Sulaiman Adekola, the WAIDA Regional President, hailed the certificate presentation as a landmark achievement for both WAIDA and NAFDAC.
He noted that the agro input sector had long been plagued by untrained and unregistered individuals, leading to significant risks to public health and the environment.
Adekola pointed out that the availability of substandard and counterfeit products, coupled with incorrect usage instructions, had resulted in substantial losses for farmers.
The Oyo State WAIDA Chairman, Mr. Solomon Adenitan, congratulated members from Oyo State for being the first to be listed by NAFDAC in the entire South-West region.
He expressed optimism that this achievement would motivate other members to get listed, thus restoring the region’s reputation as a hub for quality agro inputs. Adenitan emphasized the importance of the listing in addressing issues of product authenticity and reliability.
Mr. Paulinton Ayeni, Secretary of Oyo State WAIDA, outlined the organization’s mission to provide timely, accessible, and affordable quality agro inputs to farmers.
He noted that WAIDA, registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission since 2008, comprises over 1,000 well-trained members who serve as reliable Private Sector Extension Service providers.
Ayeni highlighted that the recent regulatory measures by NAFDAC were driven by the need to curb inappropriate use and handling of agro inputs, aiming to reduce related risks and enhance sector safety.
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