Food poisoning kills over 53,000 Nigerians yearly as experts blame poor farming practices

By Onyeka Ezike

Agricultural experts have blamed the rising incidence of food poisoning in Nigeria on poor farming practices, inadequate farmer education, and weak adherence to food safety standards, warning that the crisis is fast becoming a major public health threat.

The concerns follow recent revelations by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, that unsafe food is responsible for more than 53,000 deaths annually in Nigeria, while an estimated 50 million Nigerians suffer from foodborne illnesses each year.

Reacting to the alarming figures, the Founder of Voice of the Farmers, Afeez Olumide Garuba, said the country has focused excessively on food security while paying little attention to food safety, creating dangerous gaps across the agricultural value chain.

Speaking on Villa Square, a special segment of Cr8tive 9ja, the weekly tourism and cultural magazine programme on Mainland 98.3 FM Lagos, hosted by veteran tourism journalist Frank Meke and Bunmi Bade-Adeniji, Garuba described the situation as a reflection of systemic failures in food production and handling.

“Whenever food-related issues are discussed, the emphasis is usually on food security—ensuring there is enough food for the population. Unfortunately, food safety receives far less attention,” Garuba said.

He stressed that food safety extends from the farm to the consumer’s table and requires coordinated action from farmers, transporters, processors, regulators, and government agencies.
Garuba identified the improper use of fertilizers, pesticides, and other agrochemicals as a major contributor to food contamination in Nigeria.

According to him, many farmers ignore established guidelines governing the application of agricultural chemicals, particularly the mandatory withdrawal period that allows harmful residues to dissipate before crops are harvested.

“There are clear standards for fertilizer and pesticide application. After spraying, farmers are expected to observe a withdrawal period before harvesting. However, because of greed or lack of knowledge, some harvest prematurely and rush produce to the market,” he said.

“The result is that consumers unknowingly ingest chemical residues that can trigger severe health complications, including food poisoning.”

The agricultural advocate warned that similar practices are common in livestock production, where animals treated with medications are sometimes sold before prescribed withdrawal periods have elapsed, exposing consumers to potentially harmful substances.

Garuba argued that while some cases stem from deliberate negligence, many farmers simply lack access to adequate training and extension services.

To address the challenge, he called for a nationwide awareness campaign involving government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and private sector stakeholders to educate farmers on safe production methods.

He pointed to the Federal Government’s fertilizer application framework, popularly known as the “Four Rs” — the Right Source, Right Time, Right Place, and Right Rate — as a practical guide that should be more widely promoted among farmers.

Beyond public health concerns, Garuba noted that excessive and improper use of fertilizers also hurts farmers financially.

“Many farmers believe that applying more fertilizer will automatically increase yield, but that is not always the case. In many instances, they end up wasting resources and reducing profitability,” he said.

“Ultimately, the lack of knowledge affects both producers and consumers, with consumers paying the highest price through health risks.”

He urged regulatory authorities to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms across the food production chain, insisting that food safety must become a national priority.

“Food safety is everybody’s business,” Garuba stated.

Also speaking on the programme, award-winning tourism journalist Frank Meke called for urgent policy reforms and stronger government intervention to tackle the growing menace.

Meke warned that the escalating rate of food poisoning poses a significant threat to public health, particularly among young Nigerians, and could undermine the nation’s long-term human capital development.

In his closing remarks, Garuba cautioned against excessive dependence on food imports as a solution to food safety concerns. Instead, he advocated greater investment in local agriculture, improved farmer education, and stronger quality control systems.

He lamented that Nigeria often underestimates its agricultural potential and argued that sustainable food safety can only be achieved through a deliberate commitment to developing local capacity and enforcing standards across the food value chain.