Nigeria expands battle against lead poisoning to protect public health

By Damiete Braide

Nigeria has intensified its campaign against the deadly but often overlooked menace of lead poisoning. Resolve to Save Lives, in partnership with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has concluded a two-day training in Lagos aimed at equipping experts with the knowledge and tools needed to detect and eliminate lead contamination in consumer products such as cosmetics, toys, and clothing.

The programme marks a major step in Nigeria’s evolving public health response. Having previously focused on eradicating lead in paint, authorities are now turning attention to other products that expose millions of Nigerians, especially children, to toxic lead levels. The training brought together laboratory scientists, regulators, health advocates, and environmental experts to strengthen national capacity for lead surveillance and control.

Deputy Director of Laboratory Services and Head of Operations at SON, Adetoyi Adeyinka, said the agency’s goal was not only to enforce standards but also to empower industries and regulators with the right knowledge. “This training targets eliminating lead as a poisonous substance in toys and cosmetic products,” he said. “Rather than wait to punish offenders, we are being proactive by training manufacturers and regulators on how to identify and remove high-lead materials from the market before enforcement begins.”

One of the major concerns discussed was the high lead content in certain cosmetics, including lipsticks and a traditional eye cosmetic known as tiro, commonly used in many Nigerian communities. Adeyinka emphasized the need for massive public sensitization, especially among rural populations, to reduce exposure risks. “Lead is poisonous and extremely dangerous to children,” he explained. “While adults might resist small doses, children’s developing brains are highly vulnerable. It can affect growth, learning, and behaviour.”

Among the participants was Deputy Director at the Pollution Control Department of the Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Usman Sadik Sulaimon. Sulaimon, who previously attended a similar training in Kano, said the state faces serious risks due to its industrial activities. “Kano is home to many factories, and people are largely unaware of the dangers of lead poisoning,” he said. “We traced contamination sources to mining sites, textile factories, and the open recycling of lead-acid batteries in residential areas. Families, especially children, inhale toxic fumes daily.”

He called for stronger awareness campaigns and stricter environmental control, noting that lead exposure also causes heart and kidney diseases and can harm unborn children. He added that government-backed waste treatment facilities have been established through the Equalization Fund to help industries dispose of waste safely.

Participants were trained to use portable X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzers that instantly detect lead levels in field samples, reducing reliance on laboratory testing. Mirko Steinhage, Director of Spectrometer Technologies, South Africa, the company that supplied the analyzers-conducted hands-on sessions on the safe use of the devices. “Lead poisoning is a global concern, especially in children’s products and cosmetics,” he said. “Knowing how to test and identify contaminated products early is key to prevention.”

Executive Director of Resolve to Save Lives Nigeria, Nanlop Ogbureke, noted that the initiative is part of a broader national strategy to eliminate lead exposure. “We are supporting government agencies like SON, National Agency for Food and Administrative Control (NAFDAC), and the Federal Ministry of Environment to establish stronger laws and enforcement systems,” she said. “Our Lead Poisoning Prevention Project, launched in April 2025, also includes research partnerships with the University of Ilorin and SON to test cosmetics and household items for lead contamination.”

Ogbureke emphasized that public awareness remains central to tackling the problem. “Lead poisoning is preventable. When people understand the risks and change their behaviour, we make progress toward safer communities.”

The Lagos training ended with participants pledging to strengthen testing, surveillance, and education efforts in their respective states. As Nigeria faces growing environmental health challenges, this initiative represents a crucial step toward protecting citizens from one of the world’s most preventable toxic hazards.