By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
INCREASES CASES of hypertension, stroke, heart disease and kidney failure linked to excessive salt consumption have prompted the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) to call on the Nigerian government to implement sodium reduction initiatives and prioritise access to safe, healthy and nutritious foods.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the organisations made the call in a joint statement issued on Tuesday to mark World Salt Awareness Week 2026 (WSAW).
They said this year’s theme, “6 Ways to 6 Grams,” highlights the urgent need to reduce excessive salt consumption, which they said continues to fuel the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.
The campaign encourages governments, industry, communities and individuals to adopt practical measures aimed at reducing daily salt intake to the recommended limit of five grams or less.
In the jointly signed statement, the organisations said Nigeria is facing a growing public health crisis linked to unhealthy diets and increasing consumption of ultra processed foods high in sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats.
Citing publicly available data, the groups stated that Nigerians consume an estimated 3.8 grams of sodium, or about 10 grams of salt, daily, almost double the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s recommended limit of 2 grams of sodium, or about 5 grams of salt, per day.
“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,” Executive Director of CCSI, Babafunke Fagbemi, said.
She said reducing sodium intake must become a national health priority backed by enforceable policies, including mandatory sodium targets, front of pack warning labels and stronger public awareness campaigns.
Technical Adviser of NHED, Dr Jerome Mafeni, said Nigeria’s healthcare system is already under pressure from the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases and may struggle to cope with the long term social and economic costs if urgent preventive measures are not implemented.
Speaking on behalf of CAPPA, Executive Director Akinbode Oluwafemi said efforts to address micronutrient deficiencies are important, but nutrition policies must remain aligned with broader public health goals.
“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 organisations urged the Federal Government, particularly the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMHSW), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), alongside other stakeholders, to take proactive steps to protect Nigerians from harmful food environments.
The coalition called for enforcement of mandatory salt targets for processed foods, front of pack warning labels on ultra processed products, expanded public education campaigns on the dangers of excessive salt consumption and increased support for healthier food environments.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the groups also urged Nigerians to adopt healthier dietary habits by incorporating natural spices such as ginger, curry, fish powders and turmeric, reducing the use of added salt and seasoning cubes, increasing consumption of fresh foods, fruits and vegetables and paying closer attention to food labels for healthier options.
“As we mark World Salt Awareness Week, we must recognise that healthy diets are not just a matter of personal choice but also of public policy,” the statement said.
“The government has a responsibility to create food environments that protect health rather than undermine it.”
The joint statement notes that the World Salt Awareness Week 2026 runs from May 11 to May 17, 2026, with a focus on reducing dietary salt intake to improve public health outcomes.
It also said that the campaign encourages the public and food industry to “Salt It Out” to prevent high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and kidney damage.
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