The Kwara State Government has strengthened collaboration with the Federal Government to address growing concerns over cosmetic safety, as authorities move to develop a comprehensive implementation plan aimed at protecting public health.
This initiative, undertaken in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, was highlighted during a two-day stakeholders’ engagement held in Ilorin, where key actors in the health and regulatory sectors gathered to discuss the way forward.
Speaking at the event, the Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Amina El-Imam, raised alarm over the widespread production and use of unregistered cosmetic products, particularly within local communities. She warned that the unchecked proliferation of such products poses significant health risks to consumers.
According to her, many of these cosmetics are produced without adherence to established safety standards, exposing users to potentially harmful substances capable of causing both external and internal health damage. She noted that prolonged use of substandard products could lead to severe skin conditions and, in some cases, affect vital organs.
El-Imam reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to aligning with the National Policy on Cosmetics Safety and Health, recently introduced at the National Council on Health meeting. She described Kwara as a strategic hub within Nigeria’s cosmetics value chain, stressing that this status makes it imperative for the state to adopt and enforce effective regulatory measures.
She further emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among regulatory agencies, improved public awareness campaigns, and expanded access to testing facilities to ensure that cosmetic products meet required safety benchmarks.
“Cosmetic products must meet required standards, which will protect consumers and also promote responsible production practices,” she stated.
Also speaking at the engagement, Paul Okhakhu, Director of the Cosmetics Safety Management Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health, underscored the urgency of addressing the issue, citing a rising number of health complications linked to improperly formulated cosmetic products.
He explained that such complications—commonly referred to as adverse cosmetic events—have become a growing public health concern, increasingly documented in research findings and, in some cases, approaching alarming levels.
Okhakhu noted that the development of the National Policy on Cosmetics Safety and Health was a deliberate response by the federal government to curb these risks and provide a structured framework for the safe production, regulation, and use of cosmetic products.
“The policy helps in providing a comprehensive framework to guide the safe formulation, production, and use of cosmetic products. Nearly everyone uses one form of cosmetic product daily, thereby underscoring the importance of proper regulation,” he said.
He warned that in the absence of clear standards and enforcement mechanisms, consumers remain vulnerable to the dangers posed by substandard and unregulated products.
The federal government, he added, remains committed to addressing the issue, noting that concerns over adverse cosmetic effects continue to attract national attention and policy action.
The collaboration between Kwara State and the Federal Government signals a broader effort to tighten regulatory oversight within the cosmetics industry, a sector that continues to expand rapidly amid increasing consumer demand.
Public health experts have long argued that without effective monitoring and enforcement, the risks associated with unsafe cosmetic products could escalate, placing additional pressure on the healthcare system.
As discussions continue, stakeholders are expected to refine strategies that will not only safeguard consumers but also promote industry standards, accountability, and sustainable growth within Nigeria’s cosmetics sector.
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