Public health experts have warned that about 30 percent of Nigeria's population, estimated at over 220 million, equating to roughly 65 to 70 million people, are living with hypertension, largely driven by unhealthy dietary habits. The warning was issued on Wednesday in Abuja by advocates under the Coalition for Healthy Food Advocacy and the National Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax Coalition (NSSBTC). They also cautioned the Federal Government against adopting ultra-processed foods as vehicles for food fortification.
Press Conference Highlights
Speaking at a press conference themed “Drawing Attention to Public Health Dangers of Fortifying Ultra-Processed Foods,” the coalition linked Nigeria’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to poor dietary patterns, particularly excessive salt intake and the rising consumption of ultra-processed foods.
Technical Adviser at the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), Dr. Jerome Mafeni, warned that fortifying high-sodium products such as seasoning cubes could worsen the country’s health crisis. “Nigeria is already consuming nearly double the recommended daily sodium intake,” Mafeni said. “Promoting products that significantly contribute to excess salt consumption as part of a nutrition solution is a contradiction.” He noted that adding micronutrients to such products does not eliminate their health risks, stressing that increased consumption could further endanger public health.
Expert Opinions
Also speaking, Prof. Dike Ojji of the Cardiovascular Research Unit, University of Abuja, said hypertension affects between 25 and 30 percent of Nigerians, with diet playing a major role. “Much of this is linked to high salt intake and the growing consumption of ultra-processed foods,” he said, adding that cardiovascular diseases account for about 10 to 11 percent of deaths in the country. Ojji warned that Nigeria’s healthcare system is already under strain and may struggle to cope with the long-term costs of treating chronic illnesses.
While acknowledging that food fortification remains a recognised strategy for addressing micronutrient deficiencies, the coalition stressed that its effectiveness depends largely on the choice of food vehicles. Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Akinbode Oluwafemi, warned that reliance on ultra-processed products such as instant noodles, sugary cereals, refined flours, and seasoning cubes could mislead consumers. “Fortifying ultra-processed foods creates a ‘health halo,’ giving the impression that such products are healthy, even when they are high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats,” he said.
Risks and Recommendations
The coalition described the approach as a “double-edged sword,” noting that while it may address micronutrient deficiencies in the short term, it risks fueling long-term health complications. It further warned that such strategies tend to favour multinational food corporations while sidelining local farmers and traditional food systems. “This approach risks weakening Nigeria’s food sovereignty and pushing nutrient-rich indigenous foods out of reach,” the group said.
The coalition called on key regulatory bodies—including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)—to review the current fortification strategy. It urged the government to intensify efforts toward its target of reducing sodium intake by 30 percent by 2030 to curb the growing burden of NCDs and improve national productivity.
The group also highlighted the disproportionate impact of chronic illnesses on women, particularly in low-income households. Executive Director of Keen & Care Initiative, Josephine Alabi, noted that women and girls often bear the burden of long-term caregiving when family members suffer from conditions such as stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. “As primary caregivers, their time is consumed, limiting opportunities for education, income generation, and personal development,” she said.
Coalition Recommendations
- Avoid using ultra-processed foods for fortification
- Promote policies that ensure access to safe, nutritious, and locally sourced foods
- Introduce front-of-pack warning labels on unhealthy foods
- Tighter regulation of “fortified” claims
- Support biofortification of staple crops
- Strengthen taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages
- Increase investment in local food systems
“We cannot promote sodium reduction on one hand and normalise high-sodium products on the other,” Mafeni said. “Public health policy must reduce risk, not repackage it.” The coalition urged the government to adopt sustainable nutrition strategies rooted in dietary diversity and local food systems, warning that fortifying unhealthy products could ultimately do more harm than good.
