The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare have inaugurated a National Interagency Working Group to address the growing threat of lead poisoning in the country
To combat the crisis, the Ministry has provided laboratory equipment in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to enhanced active surveillance, and conduct soil remediation and community education. This was at a workshop in Abuja to finalize and validate the Five-Year National Strategic Plan on Lead Poisoning Elimination where officials underscored the urgency of government response
Nigeria had witnessed outbreaks of lead poisoning 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.
