Lead Poisoning Elimination Project
Generating evidence to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in Nigeria
Childhood lead poisoning is a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly in densely populated and industrialized areas like Lagos State. The Lead Poisoning Elimination Project is a collaborative initiative designed to generate critical evidence on lead exposure among children, strengthen laboratory and workforce capacity, and support the development of national policies to eliminate lead poisoning. By focusing on Lagos State as a pilot, the project aims to create a scalable model for nationwide action, ensuring a healthier future for Nigeria’s children.
Geographic Scope
Lagos State, Nigeria – selected for its high population density and industrial activity, which present elevated risks of lead exposure.
Target Population
Children aged 12 to 59 months living in selected communities across Lagos State.
Focus Areas
- Assessing blood lead levels in children.
- Identifying environmental sources of lead.
- Strengthening lab capacity and workforce skills.
- Supporting national policy and coordination.
Key Initiatives & Innovations
- Coordinated development of Nigeria’s 5-Year National Strategic Plan for lead elimination.
- Supports the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) , uniting key ministries and partners.
- Conducting a blood lead level survey in Lagos to map exposure hotspots.
- Rolling out a Children’s Environmental Health e-learning course with UNICEF.
- Using SBCC to build trust and improve survey participation.
- Creating geographic risk maps for targeted action.
by the Numbers
Professionals trained
high-risk meningitis belt states supported
First‑ever community‑based blood lead data from Lagos State
Improved timeliness and completeness of CSM case reporting across supported LGAs
Vaccine effectiveness studies conducted across the four state
