As Nigeria 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 called for urgent national action to reduce sodium consumption and tackle the growing burden of diet-related diseases in the country. Data revealed that Nigerians consume about 3.8 grams of sodium daily equivalent to roughly 10 grams of salt, nearly double the recommended threshold set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The organizations, in a joint statement, said the theme of this year’s campaign, “6 Ways to 6 Grams”, stressed the need for governments, industries, and individuals to adopt practical steps to limit daily salt intake to recommended levels and protect public health.
They warned that Nigeria is facing a worsening public health crisis driven by unhealthy diets and the rising consumption of ultra processed foods rich in sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats, which are linked to increasing cases of hypertension, stroke, heart disease and kidney failure.
Executive Director of CCSI, Babafunke Fagbemi, described the situation as urgent, stating, “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 called for immediate policy interventions, including mandatory sodium limits in processed foods, clear front of pack warning labels and sustained public education campaigns to drive behavioral change.
Also speaking, NHED Technical Advisor, Dr. Jerome Mafeni, cautioned that the country’s healthcare system is already under pressure and may struggle to cope with the long term economic and social costs of untreated non-communicable diseases.
According to him, prioritizing preventive measures, especially those targeting dietary risks, is critical to reducing the burden on healthcare facilities and improving population health outcomes.
CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, stressed the need for policy coherence, warning that efforts to address nutrition challenges must not inadvertently promote the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
“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 urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) to take decisive regulatory action to curb excessive sodium in the food supply.
Recommended measures include enforcing salt reduction targets, introducing front of pack labelling for processed foods, strengthening public awareness campaigns, and supporting policies that promote access to healthier food options.
The organizations also encouraged Nigerians to adopt healthier lifestyles by reducing salt use, choosing fresh foods, increasing intake of fruits and vegetables, and using natural spices such as ginger and turmeric as alternatives to high sodium seasonings.
They emphasized that improving nutrition outcomes requires both individual responsibility and systemic change driven by effective government policies and industry accountability.
“As we mark World Salt Awareness Week, we must recognize that healthy diets are not just a matter of personal choice but also of public policy” the statement noted.
