In a landmark move to enhance public health security and environmental protection, the Federal Government on Monday officially launched the National Guidelines for Chemical Event Surveillance in Nigeria.
The launch, held in Abuja, was organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and brings Nigeria one step closer to meeting global standards in chemical safety and surveillance.
Speaking on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom mni, described the launch as a “bold step forward” in safeguarding the health of Nigerians amidst rising risks of chemical-related hazards.
“This pivotal document represents the culmination of dedication, collaboration, and our collective resolve to respond effectively to chemical threats, whether accidental, intentional, or naturally occurring,” Kachollom said. She emphasized that Nigeria had scored poorly in the 2023 Joint External Evaluation (JEE), attaining a “limited capacity” rating in detecting and managing chemical events, prompting the need for a structured surveillance response.
The guidelines aim to provide a comprehensive framework for the detection, reporting, response, and mitigation of chemical incidents. They align with the One Health approach and complement existing systems such as the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), the National Environmental Health Surveillance System, and the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS).
Kachollom commended all stakeholders involved in developing the guidelines, noting that it will empower public health workers, environmental agencies, first responders, and communities with actionable protocols to mitigate chemical risks.
“This document should not gather dust. “Let it be the compass that guides us to a safer, smarter, and healthier Nigeria,” Daju Kachollom said in closing.
Delivering goodwill messages, key ministries and stakeholders underscored the urgency of chemical surveillance across multiple sectors.
The Federal Ministry of Environment, represented by Mrs. Omotunde Adeola, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, lauded the joint collaboration with the Ministry of Health, highlighting the increasing risks posed by chemical pollution, from industrial discharges to improper waste disposal, and its impact on air, water, soil, and human health.
“Exposure to harmful chemicals can cause respiratory issues, neurological disorders, reproductive challenges, cancers, and developmental delays in children,” Adeola stated, stressing that the guidelines align with global environmental conventions like the Basel, Stockholm, and Rotterdam Conventions.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, represented by Mr. Danlami Aliyu, raised concerns over rampant chemical misuse in agriculture and public health, recounting troubling personal experiences of unregulated chemical sales. He applauded the guidelines as a timely tool for enforcing food safety and environmental sustainability.
Also, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, represented by Dr. Samuel Anzaku, also lent strong support to the initiative, noting its alignment with the One Health strategy, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health. “This is a transformative step forward in our nation’s commitment to early detection, reporting, and response to chemical threats,” he said.
In her welcome remarks, Pharm. Olubunmi Aribeana, Director Food & Drug Services Department in Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare described the launch as both timely and historic. “This document is not just a technical tool, it is a call to action. A necessary step to bridge the gap in chemical surveillance, enhance inter-agency collaboration, and protect our people from the silent threats of chemical exposure,” she said. Aribeana emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral synergy and applauded the collective effort that went into developing the guidelines, which span public health, agriculture, environment, and emergency management.
She noted that the guidelines were a product of “unwavering dedication from our technical teams, partners, and stakeholders,” and that the Federal Ministry of Health remains committed to implementing them to achieve the goals of One Health and Universal Health Coverage.
The guidelines were developed through a wide consultative process led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s Chemicals Management Programme, with support from the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Resolve to Save Lives, and the National Committee on Chemical Surveillance and Emergency System.
Stakeholders unanimously called for full implementation and continuous improvement of the guidelines, emphasizing that chemical safety is a collective responsibility.
Signed
Alaba Balogun
Head, Information & Public Relations
14 July 2025
