The Federal Government has commenced state-level implementation of the National Policy on Cosmetics Safety and Health (NPCSH), starting with a stakeholder engagement in Lagos State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the initiative, led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is expected to run for five years and aims to sanitise the cosmetics industry while addressing growing health concerns linked to toxic substances in some cosmetic products.
Officials said the policy would strengthen the regulation of cosmetic production and distribution, improve product labelling standards and increase public awareness of the health risks associated with unsafe cosmetic products.
The programme involves several government agencies and partners, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Resolve to Save Lives and the World Health Organization.
Representing the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, the Director of the Cosmetics Safety Management Programme at the ministry, Paul Okhakhu, said the Federal Government remained committed to developing robust regulations to guide cosmetic production and ensure compliance nationwide.
Also speaking, the Head of the Cosmetics and Household Products Division at NAFDAC, Ikenna Nsofor, who represented the agency’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasised the agency’s readiness to sanction individuals and companies that violate cosmetics safety guidelines.
On the part of the Lagos State Government, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olawale Poluyi, who represented the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Dayo Olajide, said the state would review the policy with the aim of domesticating and implementing it.
According to officials, the National Policy on Cosmetics Safety and Health emphasises that cosmetics safety is a shared responsibility among regulators, manufacturers and consumers.
They added that the policy is expected to align Nigeria’s cosmetics sector with international best practices, strengthen regulatory coordination and reduce health risks associated with unsafe products.
Meanwhile, in February 2026, NAFDAC said it uncovered a warehouse in Lagos stocked with banned, substandard and unregistered cosmetic products worth over ₦3 billion at the APT Trade Fair Complex.
In a statement posted on its X platform, the agency said the warehouse was concealed inside an uncompleted building.
“NAFDAC has uncovered a warehouse stocked with banned, fake, and unregistered cosmetic products valued at over ₦3 billion at the APT Trade Fair Complex in Lagos State,” the agency said.
It added that items recovered included 728 cartons of Crusader soap, 718 cartons of E45 soap and Extract Gold whitening soaps, which are banned by the Federal Government.
NAFDAC further disclosed that assorted perfumes, body oils and cooking oils were also found at the facility and have been placed on hold for further regulatory assessment.
According to the agency, all seized products have been evacuated to prevent distribution, while the warehouse manager has been invited for questioning as investigations continue.
The agency also warned that the sale and use of such products pose serious health risks.
