A bill seeking to prohibit the use of harmful chemicals, notably calcium carbide, for fruit ripening in Nigeria was stepped down by the Senate after it failed to pass the second reading.
The legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Prohibit the Use of Harmful Chemicals for the Ripening of Fruits and to Provide for the Regulation of Fruits Ripening Practices in Nigeria, 2025 (SB. 02),” was sponsored by Senator Ani Anthony Okorie (Ebonyi South).
During his lead debate, Senator Okorie warned that for two decades, traders have been using calcium carbide—a compound that releases toxic acetylene gas when moist—to artificially ripen fruits. He noted that this practice exposes millions of Nigerians, especially children, pregnant women, and the elderly, to severe health risks such as gastrointestinal ulcers, kidney and liver damage, neurological disorders, and cancer.
He added that agencies like NAFDAC and SON have repeatedly flagged the danger, but weak enforcement persists due to the lack of a specific statutory framework.
However, Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jubril and Senator Ipalibo Banigo argued that the issue was already covered by existing regulations and that a motion on the same subject had already been debated and referred to committees. They suggested stepping down the bill to allow the ad hoc committee report to be concluded. Agreeing with the mood of the chamber, Senator Okorie moved to step down the bill.
Consequently, Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed that the motion on the same issue be listed for discussion the following day.