The Federal Government yesterday raised concerns over Nigeria’s rating as the highest users of skin-lightening products globally, with a staggering 77 per cent of Nigerian women using these products.
It also sounded the alarm on the dangers of skin bleaching, calling it a public health problem that requires urgent attention.
Speaking at a regional awareness-raising workshop in Libreville, Gabon, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, while citing the World Health Organization’s report, disclosed that Nigeria has the highest usage rates of skin-lightening products globally.
He also quoted Nigeria Opinion Institute (NOIPolls), a leading public opinion polling outfit in Nigeria, which provided insights into public opinion and consumer markets and found that 64 per cent of Nigerians believe skin bleaching is highly prevalent.
“NOIPolls with 97% believing it is common among Nigerian women. Studies among university students found a prevalence of between 62.4 and 64.9%. The awareness of skin bleaching (SB) is high at over 76%, with close to 40% believing that it makes one look beautiful and fashionable.
“High prevalence was influenced by peer pressure and societal perceptions of beauty. There is also a prevalent practice of using toning ( as a replacement) for bleaching and believing wrongly that toning is NOT harmful or less harmful.”
The Minister further noted that the widespread use of skin-lightening products in Nigeria is driven by deep-rooted societal pressures and perceptions that link lighter skin to beauty, success, and social mobility.
He, however, said, these products contain harmful substances like mercury, hydroquinone, and steroids, which pose serious health risks, including skin damage, organ toxicity, and cancer.
He said Nigerian government has taken proactive steps to address the issue, including the development of regulations to prohibit the use of harmful skin-bleaching agents and restrict the concentration of hydroquinone in cosmetic products.
“The government has also launched public sensitisation campaigns to educate citizens about the dangers of skin bleaching and promote the use of safe cosmetic products.”(Guardian)
