The Federal Government has launched a five-year strategic plan to eliminate lead poisoning in Nigeria, with emphasis on prevention, improved surveillance, stronger regulation and coordinated action to reduce exposure.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, announced the initiative on Wednesday in Abuja during the commemoration of the 2026 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, themed “From Detection to Prevention”.
Salako described lead poisoning as a major public health and environmental challenge, warning that children, pregnant women and women of childbearing age were particularly vulnerable to its harmful effects.
Lead is a toxic heavy metal that accumulates in the body over time. Exposure can damage the brain and nervous system, impair learning and development, and increase the risk of cardiovascular and kidney diseases. There is no known safe level of lead exposure.
The minister said the government was shifting from merely identifying cases to addressing the sources of exposure through stronger prevention measures and coordinated interventions.
He highlighted the establishment of an Inter-Agency Working Group on Lead Poisoning Prevention and Elimination to improve collaboration among government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as development partners.
Salako also identified Lagos, Ogun, Sokoto and Zamfara states as priority areas for tailored interventions based on local sources and pathways of exposure.
He said state-specific action plans would be developed to address the unique challenges in each location while aligning with the national strategy.
The minister noted that finalising the Lagos State action plan was particularly important, as it was informed by assessments of blood lead levels and children’s environmental health.
According to him, the five-year strategic plan will support environmental and occupational surveillance, improve laboratory capacity, strengthen regulatory enforcement and establish clearer referral pathways for people with elevated blood lead levels.
Salako added that a three-year national roadmap was also being developed to translate the strategy into measurable interventions aimed at protecting public health and reducing lead exposure across the country.
