By Abbas Nazil
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, has warned that millions of Nigerians, especially children and pregnant women, remain at risk of lead poisoning despite government efforts to curb the menace.
Speaking at the 2025 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) in Abuja, Mr Lawal, represented by Bahijjahtu Abubakar, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, said the threat remains severe across rural and mining communities due to unsafe mining, contaminated soils, and the continued use of lead-based products.
The event, themed “No Safe Level: Act Now to End Lead Exposure,” drew attention to the dangers of lead, a toxic metal found in paints, batteries, and cosmetics.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), children are most vulnerable as their bodies absorb lead more easily, causing irreversible damage to the brain, kidneys, and nervous system.
Mr Lawal described lead poisoning as a devastating but preventable health challenge, linked to learning disabilities, behavioural disorders, anaemia, and reduced IQ in children.
He noted that adults and pregnant women face risks of hypertension, kidney damage, and miscarriage.
The minister recalled that Nigeria’s fight against lead poisoning began after the 2010 Zamfara outbreak, which killed hundreds of children.
He said the government has since cleaned up contaminated areas in Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna States and continues to enforce paint regulations and safer mining practices.
Mr Lawal also announced the National Lead-Free Nigeria Initiative, targeting a complete phase-out of lead-based products by 2030 in partnership with regulatory agencies, international organisations, and the private sector.
Resolve to Save Lives (Nigeria) Executive Director, Nanlop Ogbureke, called for stronger accountability, stressing that no child should lose their future to avoidable exposure.
She urged increased enforcement and public awareness, noting that many paints in Nigeria still exceed safe lead limits due to weak regulation.
Experts at the event reiterated that lead poisoning is entirely preventable if Nigeria sustains stronger policies, cleaner technologies, and coordinated national action.