Toxic Alert: Experts Sound Alarm on Poisoning Menace in Nigeria- FUD

By Ali Rabi'u Ali Jigawa

A one-day workshop on poison prevention and management in the event of accidental exposure was recently organized by the Poison Research, Evaluation, and Analysis Center (PREVAC) in collaboration with the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Federal University Dutse. The workshop which held at the Federal university confrence Hall on Wednesday 7th May, 2025, brought together experts in the field to discuss the growing concern of poisoning in Nigeria.

Dr. Muhammad Lawan Umar, an expert in Occupational and Environmental Health Poison Research from Bayero University Kano, highlighted the theme "Pesticide poisoning: A national threat to health, environmental, and food security." 

He emphasized the need for urgent attention to address the issue of pesticide poisoning, which poses a significant threat to human health, the environment, and food security.

The workshop also discussed the issue of heavy metal poisoning, with a focus on lead poisoning. The alarming rate of poisoning cases in states like Zamfara, where over 100% cases have been reported, underscores the need for immediate action.

The Vice Chancellor of Federal University Dutse, represented by Prof. Ahmed Muhammad Gumel, commended PREVAC for organizing the workshop and emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to address the issue of poisoning. He noted that the high rate of poisoning cases in Zamfara State and other parts of the country requires an urgent response.

The workshop provided a platform for experts to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and identify solutions to prevent and manage poisoning cases in Nigeria. The outcomes of the workshop are expected to inform policy decisions and interventions aimed at reducing the incidence of poisoning and promoting public health and safety.