Nigeria is confronting a growing crisis of diet‑related non‑communicable diseases, and experts are urging a reduction in sodium content across food products to curb hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. At a World Food Day 2025 event, they highlighted that lowering sodium is the simplest and most effective strategy to address these health issues. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies excess sodium intake as a leading dietary risk factor, and the average Nigerian consumes well above the recommended daily limit of 2,000 mg.
Dr. Jerome Mafeni, a food expert and Technical Lead at the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), warned that diet‑related non‑communicable diseases are debilitating people during their most productive years. He stressed 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. Such labelling, combined with sodium‑reduction regulations, can encourage producers to reformulate products and empower consumers to make informed choices.
The WHO estimates that excessive sodium consumption contributes to over 40,000 deaths annually in Nigeria, leading to rising medical costs, reduced productivity, and preventable fatalities. 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, and that front‑of‑pack labelling is vital for helping people avoid excessive sodium intake.
Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health and Policy Champion for Sodium Reduction, described excessive sodium consumption as both a national health concern and an economic priority that requires collective, sustained action across all sectors. She emphasized that national efforts in sodium reduction and clear labelling are essential for creating healthier 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,” underscores the need for 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.
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