Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory in the National Assembly, has called on Nigeria’s top regulatory agencies to urgently investigate claims that disposable sanitary pads sold in the country contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
In a statement released on X, the lawmaker responded to a viral video by Nigerian doctor Aniekwe Donald. In the clip, the physician raised concerns over chemical analyses conducted by scientists from the Defence Academy and the Airforce Institute of Technology, which allegedly detected VOCs in varying concentrations in sanitary pads available in Nigeria.
Dr. Aniekwe claimed his social media accounts had repeatedly been taken down after he questioned the response of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to these findings. He insisted that Nigerian women have a right to know the chemical composition of the products they use monthly and accused some brands of silencing critics by offering PR packages in exchange for favourable review videos.
Senator Kingibe described the reports as too serious to ignore. She urged NAFDAC, SON and other relevant authorities to immediately investigate the claims, carry out comprehensive safety assessments, strengthen quality-control measures and release clear, transparent information to the public.
“The health, safety and well-being of women and girls across our nation must remain a national priority,” she said. “I am deeply concerned by recent scientific findings raising questions about the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in disposable sanitary pads available in Nigeria. These concerns cannot be ignored.”
Kingibe stressed that women deserve safe menstrual hygiene products and the assurance that the items they rely on every month will not endanger their health. She added: “The safety of our women is not negotiable. It demands urgent action, transparency and accountability.”