In northern Nigeria, a heartbroken mother holds her two-year-old son, his delicate skin marred by burns and scars. Fatima, a 32-year-old woman whose name has been changed to protect her identity, is wracked with guilt for having subjected her six children to the harmful effects of skin-whitening creams. Pressured by her family’s preference for lighter skin, she now faces the devastating consequences of her decision.
Fatima’s teenage daughters have suffered immense psychological distress, while her youngest child is still battling painful wounds that refuse to heal. One daughter hides her face in public, another has a pale ring around her eyes, and a third bears permanent scars on her lips and knees. The mother’s regret is palpable as she recalls why she resorted to these damaging creams in the first place.
A desperate attempt to fit In
Fatima’s struggle began with familial discrimination. “My sister gave birth to light-skinned children, while mine were darker. My mother favoured her grandchildren over mine, and it hurt deeply,” she admits. The societal pressure to have fair-skinned children pushed her to buy skin-lightening creams from a local supermarket in Kano—without a doctor’s prescription.
Initially, the creams appeared to work. Her mother’s attitude shifted, showing more affection towards her children. But the temporary success came at a steep price. Soon, the burns and scars emerged, leaving her children in physical and emotional agony.
A dangerous trend across nigeria
Fatima’s story is not unique. Skin-lightening, or bleaching, has become a widespread issue in Nigeria, with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) declaring a state of emergency in 2023. Alarmingly, the practice of bleaching children is becoming increasingly common.
Zainab Bashir Yau, the owner of a dermatology spa in Abuja, sheds light on this disturbing trend. “Many women believe that light skin is linked to beauty and success. To shield their children from discrimination, they start bleaching them from birth,” she explains.
She estimates that a staggering 80% of the women she meets have either bleached their children or intend to. Many of these women were themselves bleached as infants, continuing a generational cycle.
The Social Stigma of Bleaching
In Nigeria, a tell-tale sign of skin bleaching is the contrast between a person’s lighter skin and their darker knuckles, which resist whitening. Unfortunately, this visual marker has led to widespread misconceptions. Bleached individuals, especially women, are sometimes mistaken for drug users due to similar skin discolouration caused by smoking.
Fatima’s daughters, aged 16 and 14, have faced such discrimination. “People point fingers at them and call them drug addicts. This has severely affected their confidence,” she laments. The stigma has even impacted their future prospects—potential suitors have rejected them, fearing association with suspected drug users.
The bleaching market: A growing industry
The demand for skin-lightening products has fuelled a thriving market, particularly in Kano, where entire rows of shops cater to this cosmetic obsession. So-called “mixologists” concoct bleaching creams on demand, using a cocktail of raw ingredients.
Despite regulations, many of these creams contain harmful substances, including hydroquinone, kojic acid, and glutathione, all of which can cause rashes, thinning skin, and severe infections. Some products are even labelled for babies.
During a visit to a Kano market, I observed a mother insisting that a seller add extra lightening agents to a cream meant for her children, despite being warned that the ingredients were illegal for minors. “I believe my hands are discoloured because I used the wrong cream. But nothing will happen to my children,” she insisted.
Another salesman admitted that customers often request higher concentrations of bleaching agents than the legal limit. “If they want a drastic change, I use a lot of kojic acid. If they prefer a more subtle effect, I reduce the amount,” he revealed.
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Health consequences and government crackdown
Nigeria has the highest rate of skin-lightening product usage in Africa—77% of women regularly use them, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The numbers are also alarmingly high in Congo-Brazzaville (66%), Senegal (50%), and Ghana (39%).
Many of these creams contain corticosteroids, hydroquinone, and even mercury, which can lead to dermatitis, acne, and irreversible skin damage. Long-term effects include kidney failure, mercury poisoning, and an increased risk of infections due to skin thinning.
NAFDAC has intensified efforts to crack down on the illegal importation and sale of these products. Dr Leonard Omokpariola, a director at NAFDAC, acknowledges the challenges. “Many of these substances are smuggled in unlabelled containers. Without laboratory testing, it’s difficult to identify them,” he explains. Market raids have increased, but the demand remains high.
A Mother’s plea: Learn from my mistake
Fatima’s greatest fear is that her children’s scars will never fade. “When I confided in my mother about what had happened, she was devastated. She finally realised the damage this obsession with skin tone has caused and apologised,” she says.
Determined to prevent others from making the same mistake, Fatima is now speaking out. “Even though I have stopped using these creams, the consequences remain. I beg other parents to learn from my story—do not let social pressure push you into harming your children.”
As Nigeria battles the deeply ingrained preference for lighter skin, stories like Fatima’s serve as a harrowing reminder of the dangers of skin-lightening products. Beyond the physical damage, the psychological scars can last a lifetime.
