The Nigerian Federal Government has announced plans to phase out lead-based paints by 2030, as part of efforts to eliminate lead exposure and prevent environmental and public-health problems. The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr Salihu Usman, made this statement at the 2026 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Abuja. He emphasized that lead poisoning is a preventable issue with no known safe exposure level.
According to Dr Usman, certain groups, including children, pregnant women, and workers exposed to lead in their occupations, face significant risks from lead poisoning. He stressed the need for coordinated action among government agencies, industries, health professionals, and civil society organizations to strengthen environmental monitoring, enforce product standards, and promote safer alternatives. Dr Usman also highlighted the National Inter-Agency Working Group on Lead Poisoning Elimination and a proposed five-year strategic plan to guide the phase-out process.
Dr Leslie Adogame, Executive Director of Sustainable Research and Action for Environment Development (SRADeV), urged stakeholders to prioritize stronger laboratory testing, environmental monitoring, and enforcement of standards to eliminate lead exposure. He cited studies on lead paint and used lead-acid battery recycling, emphasizing the need for safer alternatives. Dr Adogame commended stakeholders for their support in eliminating lead exposure and noted that the event has been commemorated annually since 2013.
The Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health in the ministry, Mrs Omotunde Adeola, reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to supporting Nigeria's target of phasing out lead-based paints by 2030. She emphasized that success must be measured by reduced exposure and lives protected. Mrs Adeola highlighted key developments, including a capacity-building workshop on portable X-ray fluorescence analyzers, which equipped participants with skills for screening lead in paints and consumer products.
Mrs Adeola also cited the ministry's pilot program for environmentally sound management of small-sized waste batteries in the Federal Capital Territory, launched in April 2026. She urged manufacturers, importers, retailers, regulators, and communities to comply with product standards, improve surveillance, and promote safer waste-management practices. The ministry, with support from Resolve to Save Lives and other stakeholders, has validated a training toolkit for Environmental Health Officers to improve lead-poisoning prevention, detection, and response.
Awards were presented to institutions, associations, paint manufacturers, and raw material suppliers in recognition of their contributions to Nigeria's transition towards the production and use of lead-free paints. The awardees include Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of Environment, Mrs Omotunde Adeola, and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria. Other recipients include the Paint Manufacturers Association, Paints and Coating Manufacturing Nigeria, and Prestige Paint Nigeria Ltd.
The Federal Government's efforts to phase out lead-based paints by 2030 have been welcomed by stakeholders, who emphasize the need for sustained collaboration to protect Nigerians from preventable lead poisoning. Key to this effort is the commitment to stronger environmental regulation, improved public awareness, and responsible management of contaminated sites. The goal is to measure progress through reduced exposure, removal of unsafe products, and effective action.
Key points
- Nigeria aims to phase out lead-based paints by 2030 to eliminate lead exposure.
- The government emphasizes the need for coordinated action among stakeholders to prevent lead poisoning.
- A proposed five-year strategic plan and a National Inter-Agency Working Group on Lead Poisoning Elimination will guide the phase-out process.
