Stakeholders are urging the federal government to take decisive action to protect the future of agriculture in Nigeria by imposing stricter penalties on those involved in the production, distribution, and sale of fake or substandard fertilisers.
As fertiliser demand increases this wet season, unscrupulous producers and distributors are targeting vulnerable farmers—particularly in rural and semi-urban areas—with cheaper but harmful alternatives designed to exploit them.
The National Fertiliser Quality Control Act of 2019 sets out specific standards for packaging, labelling, and branding, and prescribes tough penalties for offenders, with the goal of safeguarding both farmers and the environment.
According to experts, low-quality fertilisers have led to reduced crop productivity, loss of essential soil nutrients, and significant financial setbacks for smallholder farmers.
Adulterated fertilisers pose serious risks beyond economic losses, they also endanger the environment. Dr. Oloyin Ibrahim, a soil scientist and policy analyst, noted that there have been confirmed cases where crops failed due to toxic substances falsely sold as certified fertilisers.
He stressed that many farmers are unknowingly using fertilisers that are either contaminated or lack essential nutrients, making the enforcement of existing laws both urgent and essential.
The National Fertiliser Quality Control Act, signed into law on October 15, 2019, replaces the former Fertiliser Control Act Cap F25 and offers a more robust regulatory structure for monitoring fertiliser quality across Nigeria.
The law imposes severe penalties on individuals or companies found guilty of producing, distributing, or selling adulterated or underweight fertilisers.
Offenders face up to five years in prison with no option for a fine. Distributors without valid permits may incur daily fines of up to ₦500,000, while manufacturers risk penalties ranging from ₦5 million to ₦10 million.
The legislation also bans several practices, including the sale of mislabelled or unlabelled fertilisers, diverting fertilisers designated for government programmes, and obstructing regulatory officials. It grants the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security the authority to inspect storage facilities, confiscate suspicious products, and initiate legal proceedings.
A detailed examination of the law reveals precise compliance standards. For instance, if a fertiliser is labelled to contain 20% potassium, it must not fall short by more than 1.08%.
Any product below this threshold is classified as nutrient-deficient and illegal for sale under Section 18. Offenders may be prosecuted and held financially liable to compensate affected farmers under Section 24.
The Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association has urged stricter enforcement, arguing that the circulation of fake products is undercutting legitimate businesses that have invested heavily in the industry.
A conversation with a regional distributor in Niger State, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed persistent challenges in enforcing fertiliser regulations.
“There are still serious lapses in monitoring, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. But with this law now in effect, it’s just a matter of time before the black market is dismantled. I remember early in my career when I unknowingly purchased fake NPK fertiliser. After offloading more than 200 bags, I noticed that some had been mixed with sand and ash. They looked genuine, but lab tests confirmed I had been scammed,” he recounted.
The current legislation empowers authorities to take firm action. Under Section 13 of the act, government inspectors are authorised to enter and search any premises, vehicles, or warehouses involved in fertiliser production or distribution. They have the legal backing to confiscate suspicious products and send samples for lab testing in line with the act’s provisions.
While a number of arrests have been made in various states since 2022, industry stakeholders are calling on the federal government to intensify its oversight.
They warn that offenders are developing new methods to evade detection and continue their illegal operations.
For countless Nigerian farmers, especially smallholders vulnerable to market fluctuations and weather extremes, effective enforcement of this act represents long-awaited protection.
The law does more than establish regulatory benchmarks; it marks a new era of accountability and transparency in agriculture. For those who profit through deception, the landscape is shifting. The era of selling fertiliser filled with sand is drawing to a close.
