Nigeria has approved its first national policy on cosmetics safety and health after nearly two decades of stalled attempts.
- •Nigeria’s cosmetics industry has grown into an increasingly sophisticated sector, with a market valuation exceeding US$ 7.8 billion.
- •The policy, developed with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), establishes a clear system to regulate how cosmetic products are manufactured, imported, sold, used and disposed of.
- •Since 2022, Nigeria has registered close to 9 000 cosmetic products that meet national regulatory requirements under the oversight of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
“Some products are intentionally labelled to avoid suspicion, but laboratory testing shows restricted substances. Enforcement efforts are ongoing, yet informal supply chains continue to complicate traceability,” National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control officer Audu Tanimu said.
Globally, over 100 known carcinogens and at least 15 endocrine disrupting chemicals have been identified in cosmetic formulations.
A study conducted in Anambra State found lead contamination in 62% of tested cosmetic products, with concentrations ranging from 0.10 to 42.12 mg/kg (exceeding the World Health Organization permissible limit of 10 mg/kg). Additional investigations in Ibadan and Lagos confirmed cadmium, lead and nickel levels above international safety limits in personal care products.
The new policy introduces three main areas of action: Regulatory oversight and governance, cosmetics vigilance and health intelligence, and strengthening the cosmetics value chain to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, lower the number of cosmetic related health complications and improve consumer confidence. To cater to state level priorities, implementation will take place across all thirty six states and the Federal Capital Territory.
