As part of efforts to curb the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the Federal Government has revealed plans to reduce Nigerians’ sodium consumption by 30 per cent over the next five years, as part of efforts to curb the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The Food Safety Technical Lead at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Femi Stephen, said Nigeria’s average daily sodium intake currently stands at about 3.9 grams nearly double the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 2 grams per day.
He revealed this during a journalism training on salt reduction, Nutrient Profile Models (NPM), and Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) organised by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), supported by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) in Abuja on Wednesday.
He explained that the newly developed National Sodium Reduction Guidelines form part of a broader national food safety and quality policy aimed at addressing both food safety and nutritional risks.
He further explained that under the guidelines, the government plans to progressively reduce sodium levels across key food categories, with an initial target of at least a 15 per cent reduction in high-salt products.
He said: “That means Nigerians are consuming almost twice the safe level of sodium, largely driven by processed foods and dietary habits,” he said.
He assured that government is introducing multiple interventions, including setting sodium benchmarks for different food categories, promoting product reformulation by manufacturers, and deploying nutrient profile models to help consumers identify high-salt products.
“We are engaging schools, media platforms, and public institutions to drive awareness. Government facilities will also be encouraged to serve healthier, lower-sodium meals,” he said.
Stephen urged journalists to play an active role in humanising the health risks associated with excessive salt consumption, noting that many Nigerian families are already affected by hypertension and related illnesses.
Also, the Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, Akinbode Oluwafemi, in his remarks noted that Nigerians consume nearly double the World Health Organization recommended daily salt intake, increasing risks of hypertension and other illnesses.
He emphasised the need for stronger policies such as sodium reduction guidelines, nutrient profiling, and front-of-pack warning labels.
He urged journalists to play a critical role in exposing industry influence, raising public awareness, and driving accountability in Nigeria’s food system.
“Last year, the Nigerian government reflected on the problem and launched the National Sodium Reduction Guidelines as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat non-communicable diseases by setting salt targets for priority food categories.
“The Guidelines, Nutrient Profile Models and the push for mandatory front-of-pack warning labels are confirmed steps toward a healthier Nigeria.
“However, these steps are at risk of derailment if the public does not understand them, and if the media fails to hold powerful corporations accountable for interfering in these policies,” he said.
