Nigeria’s Salt Crisis Sparks Fresh Calls For Urgent Health Reforms
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
With hypertension, stroke and heart disease rising steadily across Nigeria, health advocates are sounding the alarm over the country’s excessive salt consumption, warning that unhealthy diets are fast becoming a major public health emergency.
As the world marks World Salt Awareness Week 2026, the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) have urged the Federal Government to enforce stronger sodium reduction policies and promote healthier food environments.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the organisations noted that Nigerians consume nearly double the World Health Organisation’s recommended daily salt intake, a trend they say is worsening the burden of non-communicable diseases across the country.
Speaking on the issue, Executive Director of CCSI, Babafunke Fagbemi, described excessive salt consumption as a growing public health emergency driving the rise in hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
The coalition called for mandatory salt reduction targets for processed foods, front-of-pack warning labels on ultra-processed products, and sustained public awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians on healthier dietary habits.
Technical Adviser of NHED, Dr Jerome Mafeni, warned that Nigeria’s healthcare system could face severe long-term social and economic pressures if preventive measures are not urgently implemented.
On its part, CAPPA stressed the need for nutrition policies that support healthier food choices without encouraging the increased consumption of ultra-processed foods linked to diet-related illnesses.
The groups also encouraged Nigerians to reduce the use of added salt and seasoning cubes, embrace natural spices, eat more fruits and vegetables, and pay closer attention to food labels.
World Salt Awareness Week 2026 runs from May 11 to 17 with the theme, “6 Ways to 6 Grams,” promoting healthier lifestyles through reduced salt intake.
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