Nigeria: Health Ministry Backs Institute Lead-Free Drive to Protect Children

What the report says

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has endorsed a push by the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON) for a lead-free chemical industry, with officials warning that lead exposure poses serious risks to children and other vulnerable groups. The report, published by Leadership and distributed by AllAfrica, says the ministry’s support was voiced at ICCON’s 21st Mandatory Continuing Professional Development workshop, induction and fellowship investiture in Abuja.

According to the article, the event took place at the Olusegun Obasanjo Hall at the Federal Ministry of Justice headquarters in Maitama. The ministry was represented by S.O. Fatai, director of Chemical Management, speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Adekunle Salako. He said the workshop theme on advancing safer chemistry, sustainable alternatives and regulatory compliance was timely for Nigeria’s public health and environmental priorities.

The ministry also used the occasion to reaffirm collaboration with ICCON on chemicals management and public health protection. Fatai and other officials praised the institute’s role in professional development, regulatory awareness and environmental sustainability, while urging chemists, manufacturers and regulators to promote safer alternatives and stricter standards.

The broader context is that lead exposure is a long-standing public health concern internationally, especially for children, and chemical-industry controls are often used to reduce risks from paints, industrial processes and other products. The article says ICCON’s leadership framed the workshop as part of a wider effort to strengthen responsible chemical practice and national development.