The Lagos State Government has taken steps to improve the regulation of cosmetic products and procedures with the presentation of the National Policy on Cosmetics Safety and Health and its Implementation Plan.
Eko Hot News reports that the policy was unveiled during the Exit Meeting of the Lagos State Engagement on Cosmetics Safety and Health held at the Lagos State Ministry of Health.
The meeting marked the conclusion of a four-day stakeholder engagement that brought together key players in the sector.
The engagement, which began earlier in the week at Sojourner Hotel, GRA Ikeja, focused on assessing the safety of cosmetic products and developing strategies for improved regulation.
Participants examined current challenges and proposed solutions to strengthen oversight across the industry.
Speaking at the event, Ogunyemi described the timing of the policy as significant, noting that it comes amid growing concerns about cosmetic procedures and product safety.
She highlighted the importance of ensuring that all practices within the sector meet approved health standards.
The Special Adviser referenced a recent cosmetic surgery-related incident in Lagos currently under investigation by the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency.
She stated that such developments underscore the need for stronger regulatory measures and increased awareness.
Ogunyemi emphasised that patient safety remains a top priority for the Lagos State Government. She noted that the regulation of cosmetic products and procedures is essential to safeguarding residents and preventing avoidable health complications.
She also assured stakeholders that the government would ensure effective implementation of the policy across the cosmetics value chain.
This includes manufacturers, suppliers, training institutions, and healthcare providers operating within the state.
According to her, Lagos is committed to leading by example in implementing the policy and setting standards for other states. She added that coordinated efforts among stakeholders would be key to achieving lasting improvements in cosmetics safety.
Also speaking, the Director of Cosmetics Safety at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Paul Okhakhu, explained that the policy was developed in response to increasing cases of adverse effects linked to unsafe cosmetic products.
He noted that issues such as adulterated, poorly formulated, and substandard products have raised concerns across the country.
The policy, he said, aims to address these challenges through stronger regulatory frameworks and coordinated action plans.
Okhakhu added that the policy was validated in Lagos before being launched at the 66th National Council on Health in Calabar.
He explained that it provides guidance for regulatory agencies and supports the development of state-specific implementation strategies.
He further revealed that the federal government is developing a national dashboard to track the progress of implementation across states. Lagos, he said, was selected for early engagement due to its role as Nigeria’s commercial hub.
In her remarks, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Olawale Poluyi, described the engagement as a key milestone in the policy’s implementation process. She commended stakeholders for their contributions to the discussions.
Poluyi assured participants that the resolutions reached during the engagement would be translated into actionable steps. She reiterated the state’s commitment to strengthening consumer protection and improving safety standards in the cosmetics sector.
The four-day engagement brought together representatives from government agencies, regulatory bodies, academia, industry associations, and civil society groups. The collaboration aimed to develop a State Cosmetics Safety Action Plan focused on protecting public health.
Observers say the initiative reflects Lagos State’s continued efforts to improve health standards and ensure that residents are protected from unsafe products and practices.
