- Lagos Moves to Tackle Lead Poisoning, Toxic Consumer Products
- Targets Toxic Cosmetics, Unsafe Recycling in Anti-Lead Campaign
- As Health Experts Warn Against Dangerous Lead Exposure
Stakeholders in Lagos State have called for stronger regulations, coordinated enforcement and increased public awareness to tackle the growing threat of lead poisoning and reduce exposure to toxic substances across the state.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the call was made during a three-day stakeholders’ workshop organised by Resolve to Save Lives in collaboration with the Lagos State Government.
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The workshop brought together representatives from the health, environment, water management and consumer protection sectors to develop strategies aimed at reducing lead contamination in cosmetics, household products, water sources and the wider environment.
Speaking at the event, Nanlop Ogbureke described lead poisoning as a major public health challenge with severe consequences for children, pregnant women and adults.
According to her, the initiative is focused on helping Lagos State develop an implementation roadmap that will eliminate lead from cosmetics and eventually extend to other consumer products.
“We are working together in supporting Lagos State to develop an implementation plan for a roadmap that will enable the state remove or eliminate lead from different sources. We are starting with lead in cosmetics and later extend to other consumer products,” she said.
Ogbureke explained that lead exposure has become widespread through mining activities, industrial pollution, unsafe agriculture, contaminated water and improper waste disposal.
She warned that even low levels of exposure can permanently damage brain development, especially in children, while also contributing to cardiovascular and other long-term health complications.
According to her, several cases of lead poisoning have already been recorded across Nigeria, making stricter preventive policies and public education increasingly necessary.
Also speaking, Kemi Ogunyemi said the workshop reflected Lagos State’s commitment to protecting residents through evidence-based health interventions and stronger safety regulations.
She noted that contaminated cosmetics, unsafe industrial practices, informal recycling operations and adulterated consumer goods continue to pose serious health risks to residents.
“Lead poisoning remains a major public health and environmental challenge in Nigeria. Exposure to contaminated consumer products and unsafe industrial activities continues to pose serious risks to residents,” Ogunyemi stated.
She added that Lagos was selected alongside Kano, Kwara and Nasarawa as one of the pilot states for the lead poisoning prevention programme launched by Resolve to Save Lives in 2025.
The Director of Health Care Planning, Research and Statistics at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Olajumoke Oyenuga, said the workshop was designed to domesticate the national strategic plan on lead poisoning prevention within Lagos State.
“At the end of this workshop, Lagos State will have a document that stakeholders can work with to ensure effective lead prevention and control,” she said.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, Afolabi Solebo, warned that there is no safe level of lead exposure.
He identified imported cosmetics, traditional medicines, contaminated foods, industrial emissions, lead-based paints, old plumbing systems and unregulated battery recycling as major sources of contamination in Lagos.
Solebo also raised concerns over illegal recycling and smelting activities reportedly taking place in areas such as Ikorodu, Alaba and Ajegunle.
According to him, poor public awareness remains a major challenge because many residents are unable to identify unsafe products or understand the dangers associated with lead exposure.
He assured that the agency would intensify enforcement of product safety regulations and expand sensitisation campaigns to protect consumers.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Waste Water Management Office, Adeyemi Afolabi, also stressed the need to prevent lead contamination in waterways, describing it as both an environmental and economic threat requiring urgent action.
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