The Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research (CEFSAR) has raised serious concerns over the circulation of Atrazine, a herbicide banned in many countries due to its harmful health effects, particularly its impact on male hormonal balance.
According to CEFSAR, the banned agrochemical—known for its ability to “feminise” and “chemically castrate” men by disrupting hormone production—is being openly sold in parts of Nigeria, including Ijero Local Government Area in Ekiti State.
The group reported that the herbicide is being hawked from car boots by unlicensed vendors and daily labourers.
Atrazine is a potent endocrine disruptor that has been linked to excessive production of female hormones in men, leading to hormonal imbalances and reproductive health risks.
In a public alert shared via its X (formerly Twitter) account, CEFSAR wrote:
“Happening now in Ijero Local Government, Ekiti; a @NafdacAgency banned toxic agrochemical, ATRAZINE, is being sold from the boot of cars, and hawked by daily labourers. Atrazine is a hormone disruptor; it stimulates excess production of female hormones in men. Tag NAFDAC now!!”
The Centre is calling on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to urgently intervene and remove the toxic substance from circulation before it poses further risks to public health.
