Experts have warned that excessive salt intake causes over 40,000 deaths annually in Nigeria and urged immediate sodium-reduction policies and clearer food labelling to tackle rising heart disease and stroke cases.
Health experts have warned that excess salt intake contributes to over 40,000 deaths each year in Nigeria and called for urgent sodium-reduction measures.
Speaking at an event marking World Food Day 2025, Dr. Jerome Mafeni, Technical Lead at the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), said Nigeria faces a growing crisis of diet-related non-communicable diseases.
“These policies address both supply and demand, reformulating what is produced and empowering what is chosen,” Mafeni said.
The World Health Organisation estimates that Nigerians consume far above the daily salt limit of 2,000 milligrams, increasing risks of hypertension and stroke.
Dr. Mya Ngon of WHO Nigeria said front-of-pack labelling would help consumers make informed food choices.
Presidential adviser Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas added, “The toll of poor diets extends beyond the clinics, it reduces household income, weakens workforce productivity, and increases the fiscal burden of healthcare.”