…as govt unveils assessment report, plans coordinated intervention

The Ogun State Government has released its Lead Poisoning Assessment Report to enhance environmental health safety, curb further exposure to toxic metals, and protect the health of residents.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, disclosed this at a press briefing to mark the 2026 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, themed, “From Detection to Prevention: Acting Together to End Lead Exposure in Nigeria.”

She said the report was prepared by the Ministry of Health in partnership with other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), as well as implementing partners, to provide evidence-based guidance for public health planning and coordinated measures to tackle lead exposure.

Coker described lead as a hazardous metal that poses significant health risks, adding that children, pregnant women and workers who come into contact with the substance are particularly susceptible to its harmful effects.

According to her, lead exposure in children could impair cognitive abilities, affect behaviour and hinder overall development, while adults could suffer damage to the nervous system, kidneys and cardiovascular system.

Pregnant women, she added, were also at risk because exposure could harm both the mother and the unborn child.

The commissioner disclosed that reports of lead poisoning in Ogijo and its environs had prompted the need for stronger environmental health surveillance, effective risk communication and coordinated preventive measures.

She said the situation required sustained collaboration among health authorities, environmental agencies, waste management bodies, occupational health services, industries, community leaders and other stakeholders.

Coker emphasised that the state government’s responsibility extended beyond responding to identified cases to investigating potential sources of exposure, communicating risks accurately and implementing measures to prevent further contamination.

She said the unveiling of the report was a significant step towards ensuring that its findings and recommendations were communicated to relevant institutions, industries, communities and development partners for practical implementation.

“The assessment report is not the end of the process. Its real value lies in how its findings guide decision-making, strengthen preventive measures and support the protection of people at risk,” she said.

The commissioner called on industrial operators to comply with applicable environmental and occupational safety regulations, warning that protecting workers and surrounding communities required collective responsibility.

She further urged relevant MDAs to strengthen information-sharing, clarify institutional responsibilities and develop coordinated responses to identified environmental risks.

Coker maintained that the theme of the year’s commemoration underscored the importance of moving beyond detecting lead exposure to preventing further contamination, reducing health risks and protecting present and future generations.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Ola Oresanya, said the state government would enforce the polluter-pays principle, under which individuals or organisations responsible for pollution would bear the cost of cleaning up affected areas.

Oresanya explained that the state government had funded research to identify sources of pollution and establish those responsible, adding that identified polluters would be required to finance the remediation of affected locations.

He said the assessment involved experts from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), the University of Lagos and Olabisi Onabanjo University, with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) also participating in the exercise.

According to him, the research examined environmental components, including soil, vegetation, air quality and contaminants, to provide a comprehensive understanding of pollution and its possible effects.

The commissioner disclosed that remediation had already been carried out in some locations where pollution was detected, while the government had intensified monitoring to prevent further environmental contamination.

He said industries under surveillance had been equipped with air-monitoring devices that provided continuous air-quality data, enabling environmental officials to identify abnormalities and respond promptly.

Oresanya explained that the monitoring system allowed officials to access air-quality information remotely and investigate unusual readings that could indicate potential pollution.

He added that when monitoring parameters triggered an alarm, officials would visit the affected location to investigate and take appropriate regulatory action, including shutting down a factory where necessary.

The commissioner reaffirmed the state’s commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and ensuring that industrial activities did not endanger public health.