By The Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), the Centre for Communication and Social Impact and the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa have called on the Federal Government to urgently implement sodium reduction policies to address the growing burden of hypertension and other non communicable diseases in Nigeria.
The organisations made the call on Tuesday in a joint statement to commemorate World Salt Awareness Week 2026, themed “Salt It Out.” The campaign, observed globally from May 11 to 17, focuses on reducing excessive dietary salt intake and promoting healthier food choices.
According to the coalition, Nigerians currently consume an estimated 10 grams of salt daily, nearly double the five grams recommended by the World Health Organisation. The groups warned that excessive sodium intake is contributing to the rising cases of hypertension, stroke, heart disease and kidney failure across the country.
Executive Director of the Centre for Communication and Social Impact, Babafunke Fagbemi, described excess salt consumption as a major public health emergency that requires immediate intervention through stronger policies and public awareness.
“Excess salt consumption is no longer a silent issue. It is now a major public health emergency contributing to the alarming rise in hypertension and cardiovascular diseases across the country,” she said.
The organisations urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria to enforce mandatory salt reduction targets for processed foods and introduce front of pack warning labels on ultra processed products.
Technical Advisor of NHED, Dr Jerome Mafeni, warned that Nigeria’s healthcare system could face severe social and economic pressure if preventive measures are not introduced quickly to reduce the spread of diet related illnesses.
Speaking for Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, Executive Director Akinbode Oluwafemi cautioned that nutrition policies must not encourage increased dependence on ultra processed foods linked to rising non communicable diseases.
“As Nigeria responds to nutrition challenges, we must also 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.
The coalition also advised Nigerians to adopt healthier eating habits by reducing added salt and seasoning cubes, consuming more fruits and vegetables, and using natural spices such as ginger, turmeric, curry and fish powder as alternatives.
