Nigeria tightens cosmetics safety amid rapid industry growth
The Nigerian beauty market’s rapid growth, driven by urbanization and rising incomes, underscores the urgent need for robust safety reforms to safeguard consumer health and maintain industry credibility.
NIGERIA – Nigeria is intensifying its crackdown on unsafe cosmetics to protect millions of consumers amid a rapidly expanding beauty market, as regulators and experts warn that weak safety controls are putting public health at risk.
With the African beauty and personal care sector projected to reach USD 69.53 billion in 2025, Nigeria has emerged as a central hub for brands targeting West Africa and the wider sub-Saharan region, driving increased pressure to strengthen product safety standards.
Despite existing bans and regulations, counterfeit and adulterated cosmetics continue to flood both formal and informal markets, exposing consumers to serious health hazards.
These unsafe products have been linked to chemical burns, hormone disruption, introduction of toxic chemicals into the bloodstream, and chronic illnesses.
Experts at the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria’s (IPAN) recent workshop emphasized that the current regulatory framework has failed to keep pace with industry growth, largely due to fragmented agency mandates and weak coordination, which allows loopholes for counterfeiters and unsafe producers.
Workshop stakeholders have called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s cosmetic safety architecture, including clearer roles for agencies, improved enforcement, and stronger laboratory governance.
A major point of concern is the absence of IPAN’s governing council, which was dissolved in 2023 and has since stalled critical regulatory decisions and collaborations, such as laboratory training for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Experts stress that restoring the council is vital for effective oversight and enforcement.
IPAN-accredited laboratories conduct toxicity testing, ingredient verification, heavy-metal analysis, and microbial screening, forming the backbone of Nigeria’s cosmetic safety ecosystem.
However, enforcement remains challenging due to the informal nature of many cosmetic producers, often operating from residential or makeshift facilities that are difficult to trace without public tip-offs.
University of Lagos’ Professor Taiwo Asekun urged manufacturers to adhere to national standards, seek NAFDAC approval, and rely on certified labs to ensure product safety.
She highlighted that public vigilance is essential in identifying illegal operations, as many unsafe products originate from “cottage industry mixing” that evades official scrutiny.
Stakeholders agree that while technical expertise is not lacking, better integration of experts into regulatory and testing systems is crucial for sustainable progress.
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