The Federal Government has raised the alarm over the estimated 80 million Nigerian children exposed to lead poisoning
The Government called for a decisive shift from detecting lead exposure to preventing it at its source.
Consequently, the government has unveiled a five-year strategic plan aimed at preventing and eliminating the toxic substance’s threat to public health and the environment.
Speaking at the commemoration of the 2026 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Abuja, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Adekunle Salako, said lead poisoning remained a major public health and environmental challenge in Nigeria, with potentially devastating and lasting consequences, particularly for children, pregnant women and women of childbearing age.
According to the minister, individuals can be exposed to lead without showing immediate symptoms, making prevention, early identification and timely intervention critical to protecting vulnerable populations.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
