Federal Government Says 80 Million Children Exposed
The Federal Government has raised an alarm over the exposure of about 80 million children in Nigeria to lead poisoning. The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare made this known at the commemoration of the 2026 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.
The government has established an Inter-Agency Working Group on Lead Poisoning Prevention and Elimination to coordinate efforts involving relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, development partners and other stakeholders. The minister identified stronger monitoring of soil, dust, water, industrial emissions and consumer products, alongside improved regulation, enforcement and laboratory capacity, as priorities.
The government has also inaugurated a Five-Year Strategic Plan on Lead Poisoning Elimination in Nigeria. The plan is aimed at guiding stakeholders on coordinated efforts to prevent exposure, strengthen surveillance and address environmental and occupational sources.
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