Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako has called for a revival of the “Black is Beautiful” movement to celebrate Afrocentric beauty and challenge harmful beauty standards.
Salako made his remarks during a high-level segment of a regional workshop aimed at raising awareness about eliminating skin-lightening cosmetic products, held in Gabon.
In a speech made available to journalists on Thursday, he urged influencers, celebrities, and community leaders to promote natural beauty and self-acceptance while confronting the misconceptions surrounding lighter skin.
“Through collaborative efforts, we can address the root causes of skin-bleaching practices and foster healthier, more inclusive attitudes toward beauty,” he stated.
Salako identified Nigeria as “the world capital of skin bleaching,” referencing a World Health Organisation (WHO) report that found 77 per cent of Nigerian women use skin-lightening products.
He cited various studies that confirm the high prevalence of skin bleaching in Nigeria. Findings from the Ministry of Health’s Cosmetics Safety Management Programme (CSMP) revealed that 52 per cent of manufacturers include skin-lightening agents in their products.
Additionally, a study conducted by the Nigeria Opinion Institute found that 64 per cent of Nigerians believe skin bleaching is highly prevalent, with 97 per cent agreeing it is common among Nigerian women.
Despite awareness levels exceeding 76 per cent, nearly 40 per cent of Nigerians perceive bleaching as a means of enhancing beauty and fashion.
Salako noted that many individuals refer to the practice as “toning,” mistakenly believing it to be less harmful or entirely safe.
He emphasized the severe health risks associated with skin-lightening products (SLPs), which often contain harmful substances like mercury, hydroquinone, steroids, and heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium.
“These substances can result in skin damage, organ toxicity, neurological complications and even cancer,” he warned.
Salako stressed the urgent need for targeted public health campaigns, stricter regulatory enforcement, and community-driven advocacy to combat the widespread practice of skin bleaching in Africa, especially Nigeria.
He commended the Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for their proactive measures, including the 2019 Cosmetic Products (Prohibition of Bleaching Agents) Regulations, which ban harmful skin-bleaching agents like mercury and limit hydroquinone concentration to 2 per cent.
“The CSMP has conducted sensitization campaigns, grassroots advocacy, and training programs to raise awareness about the dangers of skin bleaching. The government is also developing guidelines for the safety assessment of cosmetic products to enhance regulatory oversight and ensure that all products meet international safety standards.
According to Science Nigeria, Africa is rapidly becoming a hotspot for skin-lightening product usage, with a rising trend across the continent.
A 2023 WHO fact sheet notes that the prevalence of skin bleaching among women varies across Africa: 25 per cent in Mali, 32 per cent in South Africa, 39 per cent in Ghana, 50 per cent in Senegal, 66 per cent in Congo-Brazzaville, and 77 per cent in Nigeria – the highest rate globally.
This trend is largely driven by societal pressures that associate lighter skin with beauty, success, and wealth. While several African countries, including Ghana, South Africa and Mali, have banned SLPs, weak enforcement has allowed these products to flood markets across the continent.
