The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has expressed deep concern over the growing prevalence of skin-lightening product usage in Nigeria and across Africa.
Speaking at a regional workshop on the elimination of skin-lightening cosmetics in Gabon, Salako highlighted that despite the harmful effects of these products, their use remains alarmingly widespread, particularly among African women.
In his speech, made available to journalists in Abuja, Salako revealed Nigeria’s efforts to address this trend through a National Policy on Cosmetics, aimed at ensuring the safety and quality of cosmetic products.
“I must say that not only are men using SLPs, men also tend to put pressure on women directly or indirectly to lighten their skin, and therefore our campaigns must not exclude the menfolk,” he noted.
Salako lamented Nigeria’s reputation as “the world capital of skin bleaching,” citing World Health Organization (WHO) data that indicates 77% of Nigerian women use skin-lightening products—the highest rate globally.
He added, “Skin-whitening products include skin-lightening or whiteners that are widely used among a wide range of demographic groups regardless of age, socio-economic status, or education level.”
Studies conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare further confirm this trend.
According to their findings, 52% of manufacturers in Nigeria use skin-lightening agents in their formulations.
Similarly, a survey by the Nigeria Opinion Institute revealed that 64% of Nigerians believe skin bleaching is highly prevalent, with 97% identifying it as common among women.
Among university students, the prevalence ranges between 62.4% and 64.9%, with societal pressure and perceptions of beauty driving the practice.
Salako raised alarm over the harmful substances commonly found in these products, including mercury, hydroquinone, steroids, arsenic, lead, and cadmium, which can cause severe skin damage, organ toxicity, and cancer.
To combat the trend, Salako emphasized the need for public health campaigns, stricter regulations, and community-based advocacy.
“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has taken proactive steps to educate the populace,” he said.
These include sensitization campaigns, training programs, and grassroots advocacy designed to influence behavior and debunk myths surrounding skin-lightening products.
Salako noted the Cosmetic Products (Prohibition of Bleaching Agents) Regulations 2019, which ban harmful agents like mercury and limit hydroquinone concentrations to 2%. He also lauded the efforts of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in ensuring that all cosmetic products sold in Nigeria are registered, tested, and certified.
“Unregistered and counterfeit products are actively seized and destroyed. Routine inspections and market surveillance activities are conducted to identify and remove hazardous products from circulation, as well as monitoring of online platforms to search for the presence of mercury-containing products,” he explained.
The government has also introduced the MedSafety app to simplify reporting of adverse cosmetic reactions and is developing guidelines to ensure that all products meet international safety standards.
Dr. Salako reiterated the urgency of addressing the skin-lightening culture and promoting a healthier, more inclusive perception of beauty in Nigeria and beyond.
