Kwara Assembly seeks tougher control on cosmetics, organic products

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin –

Kwara State lawmakers have called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to direct the Ministry of Health to collaborate with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and other relevant agencies to regulate and monitor the sale of cosmetics and organic products in the state.

The lawmakers further tasked the Ministry of Communication and media outlets in the state to partner with government agencies in creating widespread public awareness about the dangers of unregulated cosmetics and organic products. They urged strict prosecution of violators and intensified sensitisation campaigns to curb the use of harmful and unlicensed products.

The resolution followed a motion on the need to sensitise the public on the dangers of using unregulated cosmetics and body products, sponsored by Hon. Maryam Yusuf Aladi (Ilorin South) and seconded by Hon. Mohammed Baba Salihu (Okuta/Yashikira) during plenary on Tuesday in Ilorin.

Leading the debate, Hon. Aladi expressed concern that many of the products contain harmful chemicals such as hydroquinone, mercury, and steroids. She warned that without regulatory oversight, these substances expose users to severe health risks, including skin damage, infertility, organ failure, cancer, and in extreme cases, death.

She noted that the sale and use of such products thrive because of weak enforcement of existing regulations and poor public awareness, especially among women and young girls.

Aladi stressed that the proliferation of these products across streets, markets, beauty shops, and online platforms poses serious health hazards, erodes consumer safety, and may overburden the state’s healthcare system.

She warned that continuous exposure to the products could cause financial strain, severe skin reactions, long-term organ damage, psychological distress from disfigurement, and even premature death.

Other lawmakers who supported the motion included Hon. Ogunniyi David Sheun (Ojomu/Balogun), Hon. Abdulraheem Medinat Motunrayo (Lanwa/Ejidongari), Hon. Yusuf Abdulwaheed Gbenga (Essa/Shawo/Igboidun), Hon. Lawal Ayanshola Saliu (Ipaye/Malete/Oloru), Hon. Abolarin Ganiyu Gabriel (Ekiti), Hon. Saidu Baba Ahmed (Banni/Adena), Hon. Omotosho Olakunle Rasaq (Isin), Hon. Ganiyu Folabi Salahu (Omupo), and Hon. Magaji Oba Abdulkadir (Ilorin Central).