FG Inaugurates National Inter-Agency Group to Combat Lead Poisoning, Unveils Five-Year Plan<\/p>\n
\nThe Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has convened key stakeholders to address the growing threat of lead poisoning in the country, a pervasive public health issue affecting thousands of Nigerians, particularly children.<\/p>\n
This effort culminated in the inauguration of the National Interagency Working Group on Lead Poisoning Elimination in Nigeria<\/p>\n
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom, described the inauguration as a historic milestone in safeguarding public health. This was conveyed through the Director\/Head of the Health Nutrition Department, Mrs. Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the opening of a two-day workshop in Abuja on the finalization and validation of the Five-Year National Strategic Plan on Lead Poisoning Elimination, the Minister underscored the urgency of the government\u2019s response.<\/p>\n
\u201cLead poisoning is not just an environmental concern; it is a public health crisis that silently erodes the well-being of our children, causing irreversible damage to their developing brains and nervous systems,\u201d Pate said. \u201cFor adults, it contributes to hypertension, kidney dysfunction, and reproductive challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nigeria has witnessed devastating outbreaks of lead poisoning, notably in Zamfara State in 2010, where over 400 children died and several others disabled and in Niger State in 2015. More recently, in 2024, fresh cases were reported in Zamfara and Sokoto States.<\/p>\n
To combat the crisis, the Ministry has provided laboratory equipment such as lead care machines and spectrophotometers, supported treatment with chelation therapy in collaboration with M\u00e9decins Sans Fronti\u00e8res (MSF), enhanced active surveillance, and conducted soil remediation and community education.<\/p>\n
Prof Pate noted that the newly inaugurated working group will serve as a national platform to harmonize strategies, strengthen surveillance, and advance evidence-based interventions. Its mandate includes assessing lead exposure, reviewing policies, building health worker capacity, and recommending sustainable financing for long-term solutions.<\/p>\n
He stressed that eliminating lead poisoning requires a multisectoral approach, involving the Federal Ministries of Environment, Solid Minerals Development, Steel Development, Agriculture, Water Resources, critical regulatory agencies such as NESREA, NAFDAC, SON, as well as civil society, academia, and development partners including UNICEF, WHO, Resolve to Save Lives, and MSF.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur collective priority is prevention, ensuring that our environment, crops, homes, workplaces, and water sources are free from lead contamination,\u201d He declared. \u201cThe lives and future of millions of Nigerian children depend on our collective efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also, Mrs. Adegbite Olufunmilola, Director Epidemiology Division\/National Coordinator, Lead Elimination Programme (Public Health Department FMoHSW); outlined next steps in the country\u2019s strategy to tackle lead poisoning.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the sidelines of a workshop validating the National Lead Elimination Policy and the Five-Year Strategy Plan, Olufunmilola said the documents would soon be launched as part of broader efforts to eliminate lead poisoning across Nigeria.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith stronger collaboration, community awareness and enforcement, we believe lead elimination in Nigeria can be achieved”, Mrs. Olufunmilola further affirmed<\/p>\n
In driving the implementation of Nigeria\u2019s five-year strategy plan on lead poisoning elimination, Dr. Ganiyu Jamiyu, Chief Consultant Epidemiologist Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare said the initiative is a major step toward reducing lead toxicity and other heavy metal exposures affecting several states, particularly Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger.<\/p>\n
Highlighting the severity of lead poisoning, particularly on children, Dr. Jamiyu noted its devastating consequences, including mental retardation, lifelong disability, and even death. “We must safeguard the future of our children, which is why the Coordinating Minister has made this initiative a top priority,” he emphasized.”<\/p>\n
According to a statement issued by Alaba Balogun, the Ministry’s Head of Information & Public Relations, the workshop was organized in collaboration with relevant MDAs to finalise and validate Nigeria’s five-year strategic plan on Lead Poisoning Elimination, setting the stage for effective policy reforms and coordinated national interventions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FG Inaugurates National Inter-Agency Group to Combat Lead Poisoning, Unveils Five-Year Plan The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has convened key stakeholders to address the growing threat of lead poisoning in the country, a pervasive public health issue affecting thousands of Nigerians, particularly children. This effort culminated in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":148674,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[356,18,20],"tags":[2337,2338,2339],"class_list":{"0":"post-148673","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"category-news","9":"category-the-nation","10":"tag-lead-poisoning","11":"tag-national-inter-agency-group","12":"tag-prof-pate"},"yoast_head":"\n