FG Unveils National Guidelines for Chemical Event Surveillance to Safeguard Public Health and Environment
In a landmark move to enhance public health security and environmental protection, the Federal Government on Monday officially launched the National Guidelines for Chemical Event Surveillance in Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry’s Head, Information and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun, the launch, which brings Nigeria one step closer to meeting global standards in chemical safety and surveillance, was organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom described the launch as a “bold step forward” in safeguarding the health of Nigerians amidst rising risks of chemical-related hazards.
“This pivotal document represents the culmination of dedication, collaboration, and our collective resolve to respond effectively to chemical threats, whether accidental, intentional, or naturally occurring,” Kachollom said. She emphasized that Nigeria had scored poorly in the 2023 Joint External Evaluation (JEE), attaining a “limited capacity” rating in detecting and managing chemical events, hence the need for a structured surveillance response.
The guidelines which aim to provide a comprehensive framework for the detection, reporting, response, and mitigation of chemical incidents also align with the One Health approach and complement existing systems such as the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), the National Environmental Health Surveillance System, as well as the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS).
Kachollom commended all stakeholders involved in developing the guidelines, noting that it will empower public health workers, environmental agencies, first responders, and communities with actionable protocols to mitigate chemical risks.
“This document should not gather dust. “Let it be the compass that guides us to a safer, smarter, and healthier Nigeria,” Daju Kachollom said in closing.
Key Ministries and Stakeholders in their goodwill messages also underscored the urgency of chemical surveillance across multiple sectors.
In her welcome remarks, the Ministry’s Director, Food & Drug Services Department, Pharm. Olubunmi Aribeana, described the launch as both timely and historic. “This document is not just a technical tool, it is a call to action. A necessary step to bridge the gap in chemical surveillance, enhance inter-agency collaboration, and protect our people from the silent threats of chemical exposure,” she said.
Aribeana emphasized the importance of cross- sectoral synergy and applauded the collective effort that led to the development of the guidelines, which span public health, agriculture, environment, and emergency management.
She noted that the guidelines were a product of “unwavering dedication from our technical teams, partners, and stakeholders,” highlighting that the Federal Ministry of Health remains committed to implementing them in order to achieve the goals of One Health and Universal Health Coverage.
The guidelines were developed through a wide consultative process led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s Chemicals Management Programme, with support from the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Resolve to Save Lives, and the National Committee on Chemical Surveillance and Emergency System.
Stakeholders unanimously called for full implementation and continuous improvement of the standards, emphasizing that chemical safety is a collective responsibility.
