The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has raised alarm over the alarming rise of skin-lightening products among Nigerians and other Africans, despite the well-documented health risks they pose.
Speaking at a regional workshop in Gabon, Salako highlighted the widespread use of harmful products like creams, soaps, and injections, especially among African women.
Salako revealed that Nigeria has become the “world capital of skin bleaching,” with 77% of Nigerian women reported by the WHO as frequent users of skin-lightening products—the highest rate globally.
This trend is rooted in cultural and societal preferences for lighter skin tones, influencing all demographics across age, income, and education levels.
While acknowledging the country’s alarming statistics, Salako assured that Nigeria is working on a National Policy on Cosmetics to ensure the safety and quality of products.
He emphasized the need for public health campaigns targeting both men and women to challenge beauty standards and raise awareness about the harmful substances in bleaching products, such as mercury and hydroquinone.
The government has been proactive in addressing the issue through awareness programs, regulations limiting harmful ingredients, and a crackdown on counterfeit products.
As part of efforts to combat this growing trend, Salako urged for more robust public health advocacy and community-based outreach to promote safer alternatives and healthier beauty standards.
