The Federal Government has warned that an estimated 80 million children in Nigeria are vulnerable to lead poisoning.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, raised the alarm on Wednesday in Abuja at 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 threat, noting that lead is toxic and can affect multiple body systems. He said children, pregnant women and women of childbearing age are most at risk, even when they show no immediate symptoms.
He said government cannot treat its way out of the problem and must focus on prevention, early identification and timely action.
To address the menace, the minister said the government has established an Inter-Agency Working Group to coordinate relevant ministries, agencies and partners.
He also inaugurated the National Strategic Plan for Lead Poisoning Elimination 2026-2030, designed to strengthen surveillance, enforce regulations and tackle sources of exposure. He added that a costed three-year roadmap is being developed to implement the plan.
Salako cited environmental investigations in Lagos and battery recycling concerns in Ogijo, Ogun State, as well as experiences in Sokoto and Zamfara, to show the need for state-specific interventions and stronger environmental and occupational controls.
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