22–23 October 2025 | Abuja
The Rural Women Energy Security (RUWES) Initiative participated in the Fifth Meeting of the National Committee on Chemicals Management (NCCM) organized by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with Heinrich Böll Stiftung. The two-day meeting reviewed Nigeria’s progress on chemicals management and prepared stakeholders for the upcoming 2025 Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) COPs.
Day 1 Summary
Day 1 featured the inauguration of the Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, followed by goodwill messages and review of previous meeting outcomes.
Stakeholders presented updates on chemicals management activities for 2024/2025, focusing on improving coordination, strengthening monitoring systems, and enhancing public awareness on hazardous chemicals. NAFDAC also led a session on chemical safety and the roles of critical stakeholders.
Day 2 Summary
Day 2 focused on technical reviews, including:
- Updates on the BRS, Minamata, and Vienna Conventions.
- A briefing from the National Ecotoxicological Poison Centre (NEPC) on poison response and toxic exposure monitoring.
- NAFDAC’s update on the registration status of previously deferred chemicals.
- Review of Nigeria’s proposed position for the 2025 BRS COPs on chemicals such as Mercury, Methyl Bromide, Carbosulfan, and Fenthion.
- Presentation of the National Risk Assessment on Fenthion and Lead Chromate by SRADev.
RUWES Contribution
RUWES reaffirmed its commitment to safer chemicals management, rural awareness creation, and the promotion of sustainable alternatives such as organic fertilizer from biogas technology—helping reduce chemical exposure for rural women and farmers.
