Nigeria is now taking a more serious and coordinated approach to detecting and responding to chemical emergencies, as health authorities move to build a stronger national surveillance system capable of protecting lives before disaster strikes.
The push became clearer during a recent meeting of the National Committee on Chemical Surveillance and Emergency Systems (NCCSES), where government officials and technical partners assessed progress on national guidelines designed to sharpen the country’s response to chemical incidents.
Officials warned that chemical-related events, including accidental spills, industrial exposures and hazardous substance releases, are posing growing risks to public health and demand stronger coordination across health, environment, agriculture, industry and emergency management sectors.
Mrs. Olufowobi-Yusuf Adeola, Director of Food and Drugs Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, confirmed that the committee has recorded significant milestones, including the development of national chemical event surveillance guidelines, laboratory capacity assessments, stronger inter-agency collaboration and ongoing efforts to establish Poison Information Centres nationwide.
She stressed that the next phase will prioritise translating policy into practical action, with sharper focus on early detection, timely reporting and rapid response at both national and sub-national levels.
The UK Health Security Agency reaffirmed its support, with Country Lead Dr. Ayo Oyinloye urging sustained collaboration to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for chemical and public health emergencies. The committee also reviewed strategies to improve data sharing, upgrade surveillance systems and align Nigeria’s chemical safety framework with the International Health Regulations (2005) and the One Health approach.
Health authorities say stronger chemical surveillance will reduce the health, environmental and economic toll of chemical incidents across the country.
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