Abuja: The C-Circle Foundation for Sustainable Health and Environment has initiated a nationwide campaign aimed at ending the consumption of ‘Nzu’ (edible clay), which is identified as a hidden source of lead poisoning in Nigeria. The campaign aligns with the 2025 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Abuja, themed ‘No Safe Level: Act Now to End Lead Exposure,’ and is supported by the Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Chimere-May Ohajinwa, an environmental toxicologist and head of the C-Circle Foundation, emphasized that nzu poses chemical and hygienic risks, as it is sold uncovered and handled without proper hygiene. She highlighted that lead poisoning remains an often overlooked public health challenge in Nigeria. Despite the focus on lead in paints and fuel, edible clay remains a silent but dangerous source of exposure in homes and markets.
Dr. Ohajinwa pointed out that most nzu sold in markets is displayed openly and consumed without washing, ex
posing consumers to bacteria, dust, and parasites. The Foundation’s recent radio campaign revealed widespread ignorance about the dangers of eating nzu, with one caller admitting her daily consumption despite being unaware of the associated health risks. Across markets in southern Nigeria, vendors sell nzu for as little as N100, with many believing it aids digestion. However, researchers describe it as a toxic substance harmful to mothers and unborn babies.
During the campaign, experts appeared on Radio Nigeria, NTA, Hot FM, and People’s FM to explain the health impacts of lead and ways to reduce exposure. Many listeners were surprised to learn about the poisoning risks associated with eating nzu. Dr. Ohajinwa described geophagy, the craving and consumption of clay, as an addictive condition requiring behavior change. The campaign aims to replace myths with science and promote safer alternatives for managing nausea during pregnancy.
The Foundation also visited antenatal clinics to educate pregnant women on
lead poisoning, distributing flyers and information materials in local languages to improve awareness. Dr. Ohajinwa stressed that lead poisoning is entirely preventable through community education, regulation, and proper enforcement of existing environmental laws. She urged Nigerians to stop eating nzu, purchase only certified lead-free paints, and avoid unregulated cosmetics or herbal remedies that may contain heavy metals.
The Foundation called on government agencies to strengthen public health campaigns and ensure the removal of products containing harmful substances from markets. Dr. Ohajinwa reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to building a healthier Nigeria, where prosperity is shared, and preventable toxic exposures are eliminated through education and collaboration.
NAN recalls that eating nzu is a cultural practice, especially among pregnant women in southern Nigeria, believed to relieve nausea and cravings. However, studies indicate that the clay contains unsafe levels of lead, arsenic, and cad
mium. Experts warn that lead can cross the placenta, causing brain damage, miscarriages, low birth weight, and long-term developmental problems in children. Despite these risks, nzu continues to be sold openly without regulation or warning labels. Lead, a heavy metal used in batteries, paints, and industrial materials, is acknowledged by health experts as having no safe level of exposure for humans.