The federal government says it is intensifying efforts to eliminate lead exposure and phase out lead-based paints in Nigeria by 2030.

Salihu Usman, the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, said this at the 2026 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mr Usman, represented by Omotunde Adeola, Director of the Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health in the ministry, said lead poisoning is a preventable environmental and public-health problem, with no known safe exposure level.

He warned that children, pregnant women and occupationally exposed workers face significant risks.

Mr Usman emphasised the need for coordinated action among government agencies, industries, health professionals and civil society organisations to strengthen environmental monitoring, enforce product standards, promote safer alternatives and improve public awareness.

He also highlighted the National Inter-Agency Working Group on Lead Poisoning Elimination and the proposed five-year strategic plan.

Mr Usman urged stakeholders to measure progress through reduced exposure, removal of unsafe products and responsible management of contaminated sites, rather than meetings and policies alone.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to stronger environmental regulation and called for sustained collaboration to protect Nigerians from preventable lead poisoning.

Leslie Adogame, Executive Director, Sustainable Research and Action for Environment Development (SRADeV), cited studies on lead paint and used lead-acid battery recycling.

Mr Adogame urged stronger laboratory testing, environmental monitoring, enforcement of standards, and safer alternatives.

The director commended stakeholders for supporting efforts to eliminate lead exposure and urged them to prioritise prevention, environmental remediation and community protection, particularly for children and workers vulnerable to lead poisoning.

Omotunde Adeola, the Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health in the ministry, called for measures to prevent lead poisoning, saying there is a need to translate detection into effective action.

Ms Adeola, represented by Idris Abdullahi, Director, National Ozone Office in the ministry, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s target of phasing out lead-based paints by 2030.

She urged manufacturers, importers, retailers, regulators and communities to comply with product standards, improve surveillance and promote safer waste-management practices.

Awards were presented to institutions, associations, paint manufacturers and raw material suppliers in acknowledgement of their contributions to Nigeria’s transition towards the production and use of lead-free paints.

Some of the awardees are Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of Environment, Ms Adeola and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria.

(NAN)