Civil society groups have warned that Nigeria is facing a growing public health crisis linked to unhealthy diets and increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods high in sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats.
In a joint statement issued by the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) to mark World Salt Awareness Week 2026, the organisations called on the Federal Government to implement sodium reduction initiatives and prioritise access to safe, healthy and nutritious foods.
They noted that this year’s theme, “Salt It Out,” serves as a reminder of the urgent need to reduce excessive salt consumption, which continues to fuel the rising burden of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and other non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.
Citing publicly available data, the organisations said Nigerians consume an estimated 3.8 grams of sodium, equivalent to about 10 grams of salt daily, nearly double the World Health Organisation’s recommended limit of 2 grams of sodium or about 5 grams of salt per day. The campaign encourages governments, industry, communities and individuals to adopt practical measures aimed at reducing daily salt intake to five grams or less.
Urgent Call for National Action
Executive Director of CCSI, Babafunke Fagbemi, stated that excess salt consumption is no longer a silent issue but a major public health emergency contributing to the alarming rise in hypertension and cardiovascular diseases across the country. She emphasised that reducing sodium intake must become a national health priority, backed by enforceable policies including mandatory sodium targets, front-of-pack warning labels and stronger public awareness campaigns.
Technical Adviser of NHED, Dr Jerome Mafeni, said Nigeria’s healthcare system is already under pressure from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and may struggle to cope with the long-term social and economic consequences if urgent preventive measures are not implemented.
Speaking on behalf of CAPPA, its Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, noted that while efforts to address micronutrient deficiencies are important, nutrition policies must also align with broader public health goals. “As Nigeria responds to nutrition challenges, we must ensure that food policies do not unintentionally encourage increased consumption of ultra-processed foods linked to rising cases of diet-related non-communicable diseases,” he said.
Recommendations for Government and Public
The organisations urged the Federal Government, particularly the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and other stakeholders to take proactive measures to protect Nigerians from harmful food environments.
Among other recommendations, the coalition called for enforcement of mandatory salt targets for processed foods, front-of-pack warning labels on ultra-processed products, increased public education on the dangers of excessive salt consumption and stronger support for healthier food environments.
The groups also urged Nigerians to adopt healthier dietary habits by incorporating natural spices such as ginger, curry, fish powder and turmeric, reducing the use of added salt and seasoning cubes, increasing consumption of fresh foods, fruits and vegetables, and paying closer attention to food labels.
“As we mark World Salt Awareness Week, we must recognise that healthy diets are not just a matter of personal choice but also of public policy,” the statement noted. “Government has a responsibility to create food environments that protect health rather than undermine it.”
