Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government has launched the Five-Year Strategic Plan on Lead Poisoning Elimination in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen prevention, surveillance, regulation and coordinated action against lead exposure across the country. This was contained in a statement signed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations.
The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, announced this at the commemoration of the 2026 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, held on Wednesday, October 21, in Abuja, under the theme, “From Detection to Prevention.”
Dr. Salako described lead poisoning as a significant public health and environmental challenge, noting that children, pregnant women and women of childbearing age are particularly vulnerable to its harmful effects. He stressed the need to move beyond identifying cases to eliminating or controlling exposure at its sources.
The Minister highlighted the establishment and operationalisation of the Inter-Agency Working Group on Lead Poisoning Prevention and Elimination as a key step towards strengthening collaboration among relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, development partners and other stakeholders.
He also cited experiences from Lagos, Ogun, Sokoto and Zamfara States as evidence of the need for interventions tailored to local sources and pathways of exposure.
“At the subnational level, we have identified the development of state-specific lead prevention and control action plans for Lagos, Ogun, Zamfara and Sokoto States as an important next step. These plans will reflect the specific sources and pathways of exposure within each of the states while remaining aligned with the national framework. The finalization of the Lagos State action plan, informed by its blood lead level and children’s environmental health assessment that has already been conducted is particularly important in this regard.”
According to him, the Five-Year Strategic Plan provides a national framework for coordinated, multisectoral action, including stronger environmental and occupational surveillance, improved laboratory and institutional capacity, effective regulation and enforcement, and clearer referral pathways for individuals identified with elevated blood lead levels. A costed three-year national roadmap is also being developed to translate the Plan’s priorities into time-bound and measurable interventions.
Dr. Salako called on State Governments, development partners, industries, civil society organisations, professional bodies, traditional and religious leaders, communities and the media to support the domestication and implementation of the Plan.
“Communities are central to prevention and our efforts must extend beyond government institutions to all of society. Traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, professional bodies, researchers, industries, community-based organizations and the media all have critical roles to play.” Salako appealed.
The Minister further urged Nigerians to adopt practical measures to reduce exposure, including avoiding contaminated soil and dust, using lead-safe products, observing appropriate protective practices during battery recycling, painting and other high-risk activities, keeping work clothes and footwear away from living areas, wet-cleaning floors and play areas, and maintaining diets rich in calcium, iron and vitamin C.
Reaffirming the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s commitment to the national elimination agenda, Dr. Salako called for sustained collaboration to translate evidence into policy and policy into action, stressing that prevention must remain at the centre of efforts to protect children, safeguard communities and reduce the health consequences of lead exposure.
“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare remains committed to providing the needed leadership and work closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria moves decisively from a predominantly reactive response to a comprehensive, preventive and sustainable approach to lead poisoning.” the Minister reassured.
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