Nigeria Faces Growing Crisis of Diet-Related Non-Communicable Diseases, Experts Call for Reduced Sodium in Food Products
At an event marking World Food Day 2025, experts emphasized the need for reduced sodium in food products across Nigeria to prevent hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. They noted that lowering sodium is the simplest and most effective way to address these health issues. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), excess sodium intake is a leading dietary risk factor for these diseases, with the average Nigerian consuming well above the recommended daily limit of 2,000 milligrams of sodium.
Dr. Jerome Mafeni, a food expert and Technical Lead at the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), raised concerns about the growing crisis of diet-related non-communicable diseases in Nigeria, which debilitate people in their most productive years. He emphasized the importance of front-of-pack labelling, which sets clear limits on salt levels in packaged foods and makes nutrition information easier for consumers to understand. This policy, along with sodium-reduction regulation, can help food producers reformulate their products and empower consumers to make informed choices.
The WHO estimates that excessive sodium consumption contributes to over 40,000 deaths annually in Nigeria, resulting in rising medical costs, reduced productivity, and preventable deaths. Dr. Mya Ngon, Team Lead for Disease Prevention and Control at WHO Nigeria, warned that non-communicable diseases place a significant burden on individuals, families, and the health system. The call for front-of-pack labelling is vital in helping people make healthier food choices and avoid excessive sodium intake.
Special Adviser to the President on Health and Policy Champion for Sodium Reduction, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, noted that excessive sodium consumption is a national health concern and an economic priority requiring collective and sustained action across all sectors. She emphasized that national efforts in sodium reduction and clear labelling are crucial in creating better foods and securing a better future for every Nigerian. The global theme of World Food Day 2025, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and Better Future,” highlights the importance of continued collaboration among government, media, and civil society partners to achieve a healthier population and reduce the burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.