Empirical evidence from Nigeria consistently demonstrates that pesticide residues are present in a wide range of food commodities (including grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes) often at concentrations that exceed internationally recognised Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and other global standards (Gbadegesin et al, 2025). Such findings underscore systemic challenges in pesticide regulation, agricultural practices, and food safety monitoring across the Nigerian food system (Olatilewa et al, 2024; Oshatunberu et al, 2023).

A comprehensive assessment conducted in north-western Nigeria revealed hazardous levels of pesticide residues in commonly consumed cereal and vegetable products as several samples exceeded MRLs thereby presenting potential health risks for consumers (Abubakar et al, 2024). This study identified multiple classes of pesticide residues, indicating both pre- and post-harvest contamination pathways, a trend that aligns with broader findings on unsafe pesticide use practices in agricultural production and storage (Olatilewa et al, 2024; Gbadegesin et al, 2025).

Consistent with these findings, market surveys in southwest Nigeria reported that a high proportion of grains sold in local markets contained detectable pesticide residues above international safety limits. These residues included both banned organochlorines and widely used organophosphates, an indication of ongoing misuse and inadequate regulatory control (Oshatunberu et al, 2023). Similarly, composites of maize, millet, sorghum, and rice samples from Wukari, Nigeria showed multiple pesticide residues, some at levels that pose potential non-carcinogenic and cumulative exposure risks for consumers (Imbasire et al, 2025).

The occurrence of pesticide residues is not limited to grains. Monitoring of fresh fruits and vegetables across several Nigerian markets detected over 30 pesticide residues, with many compounds (including both organochlorine and pyrethroid classes) present above internationally accepted limits. Health risk assessment in this study indicated that children, in particular, may be exposed to dietary pesticide intake levels that approach or exceed safe thresholds (Oshatunberu et al, 2023). These findings mirror those of Suleiman, Nuhu and Yashim (2021), who reported elevated residue concentrations in field-grown fruits and vegetables and emphasised potential human health impacts via dietary pathways.

In addition, research on dried staple products such as cassava and yam chips demonstrated the presence of persistent organochlorine pesticides (such as p,p′-DDT and endosulfan) well above relevant standards (Onwudiegwu et al, 2025). These residues are likely attributable to long-term environmental persistence and either continued illegal use or legacy contamination in soils (Gbolahan, Omoloye & Ojo, 2024). The detection of banned or restricted compounds in food commodities reinforces concerns about regulatory enforcement and the effectiveness of monitoring systems in mitigating chemical hazards.

The documented occurrence of pesticide residues is particularly concerning for vulnerable population groups, including children, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems (Onwudiegwu et al, 2025; Afolayan & Bankole, 2023). Children’s increased food intake per body weight and ongoing physiological development render them especially susceptible to the neurotoxic, endocrine-disrupting, and carcinogenic effects associated with chronic exposure to pesticide residues (Gbadegesin et al, 2025). The convergence of dietary exposure risks and demographic vulnerability highlights the urgency of strengthening food safety governance and public health interventions.

From a food systems perspective, these findings reflect failures across multiple nodes of the supply chain: (a) non-compliance with recommended pesticide application practices at the production level (b) inappropriate use of pesticides for post-harvest pest control (c) limited routine residue testing, and (d) inadequate regulatory enforcement. These dynamics not only present immediate health risks but also erode consumer trust in local food systems, thus, reinforcing public perception of food insecurity and regulatory inadequacy (Ejimerhomu et al, 2025; Afolayan & Bankole, 2023).

Overall, the documented presence of pesticide residues in Nigerian food commodities provides robust empirical evidence for the study’s focus on public perception. Scientific risk assessments of contamination must therefore be understood alongside how these risks are interpreted, communicated, and acted upon by consumers and other stakeholders within the food system.