Yemi Osinbajo warns of chemical use in Nigeria food supply

Former Nigerian Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has raised alarms regarding food safety and the widespread use of hazardous chemicals in the country’s agricultural supply chain. Speaking at the Open Day for Gardeners’ Seminar in Lagos on August 28, Osinbajo recounted a personal experience involving his wife, Dolapo, who developed frequent, unexplained headaches after consuming freshly squeezed orange juice daily.

Following the onset of these headaches, a laboratory analysis of a batch of the juice reportedly found it “not fit for human consumption.” Osinbajo linked this finding to the use of dangerous substances by farmers and traders to artificially ripen or preserve produce. He specifically highlighted the use of calcium carbide to force fruits like bananas, mangoes, and tomatoes to ripen quickly, as well as other toxic substances such as phosphite.

Osinbajo cited various studies suggesting that chemical use is a significant issue among fruit and vegetable sellers in regions including Lagos, Uyo, and Ado-Ekiti. He called for stronger government regulation, improved enforcement, and increased public awareness to ensure that natural-looking produce is safe for consumption.