The Kwara State Government and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare have stepped up actions to stop the manufacture and sale of unsafe cosmetic products. At a two‑day stakeholder meeting in Ilorin, Kwara Commissioner for Health Dr Amina El‑Imam warned that unregistered cosmetics circulating in local communities pose serious health hazards, including damage to skin and internal organs. She said the state will align its efforts with the National Policy on Cosmetics Safety and Health, which was recently launched at a National Council on Health gathering. "Cosmetic products must meet required standards, which will protect consumers and also promote responsible production practices," El‑Imam stated.
Federal Ministry director Paul Okhakhu, who leads the Cosmetics Safety Management Programme, noted a rise in health problems linked to poorly formulated cosmetics, describing the trend as approaching epidemic proportions. He explained that the new policy offers a comprehensive framework for safe formulation, production and use of cosmetics. "Nearly everyone uses one form of cosmetic product daily, thereby underscoring the importance of proper regulation," he added. Okhakhu cautioned that without clear guidelines, consumers remain vulnerable to adverse health effects and affirmed the federal commitment to address the issue. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) Edited by Bayo Sekoni
The collaboration between Kwara's health commissioner and the federal cosmetics safety director marks an uncommon joint effort to police a sector that has largely escaped coordinated oversight.
Unregulated cosmetic production has flourished in Kwara, a key node in the regional value chain, exposing users to substances that can harm skin and internal organs. The National Policy on Cosmetics Safety and Health, unveiled at the recent council meeting, is a direct response to mounting reports of "adverse cosmetic events" that Okhakhu says are nearing epidemic levels.
For everyday Nigerians, especially those in rural and peri‑urban areas where informal markets dominate, the initiative promises stricter testing, clearer labeling and heightened public awareness, reducing the risk of hidden toxins in everyday beauty items.
This move fits a broader pattern of Nigerian authorities tightening standards in informal industries, signaling that consumer protection is becoming a higher priority across the board.
