Assessing Chemical contamination of Nigeria's agro-food systems and human security

Abstract

While agrochemicals are used to enhance agricultural productivity, their misuse, coupled with weak regulatory frameworks, has resulted in widespread contamination of soil, water, and food crops. Food security remains a critical challenge in developing nations like Nigeria, where agricultural systems face increasing pressure from environmental degradation, climate change, and chemical contamination. This study investigates the levels, impacts, and consequences of chemical contaminants in Nigeria's agro-food systems, with linkages to human security. The study further disaggregated human security into food security and human health outcomes. This research determined the extent of chemical contaminant usage and its impacts on food security dimensions (availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability) and related health outcomes in Nigeria. The research synthesizes existing literature and statistical data to assess the levels of pesticides, heavy metals, and hydrocarbons in the agro-food chain, analyzing their effects on crop yields, human health risks, and overall food security. Findings revealed alarming levels of food contamination, often exceeding WHO and FAO permissible limits, this contamination undermines food availability by reducing crop yields, and accessibility through compromised safety, utilization via diminished nutritional quality, and stability due to disrupted agricultural practices. Result emanating from the study also revealed that The study reveals that widespread contamination of Nigeria’s food and water sources with pesticides, heavy metals, and hydrocarbons—mainly from agricultural, industrial, and mining activities—poses serious public health risks. These contaminants are linked to both acute effects, such as respiratory and neurological issues, and chronic conditions, including organ damage, reproductive disorders, and long-term risks like cancer. The study therefore recommends that the federal government should prioritize the development and implementation of a National Food Safety and Contamination Control Framework. This framework should establish clear, enforceable standards aligned with WHO and FAO guidelines, while also outlining robust monitoring, enforcement, and remediation strategies. The study further recommends that both Federal and State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with NAFDAC, NESREA, and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, should mitigate the adverse health effects associated with chemical contamination, by establishing a comprehensive public health surveillance system focused on detecting and responding to chemical-related illnesses. This system should include routine health screenings in high-risk communities, particularly those near industrial, agricultural, and mining zone.