A coalition of non-governmental organisations has called on the federal government to implement urgent sodium reduction measures in processed foods.

The organisations are the Network for Health Equity and Development, Centre for Communication and Social Impact, and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa.

The call was noted in a joint statement by their communication officers, Tessy Maina of NHED, Anna White-Agbo of CCSI, and Robert Egbe of CAPPA.

They said the measures were necessary to reduce rising cases of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and other non-communicable diseases linked to excessive salt consumption in Nigeria.

The groups also urged the government to prioritise access to safe, healthy and nutritious foods for Nigerians.

The coalition said the campaign encouraged governments, industries, communities and individuals to adopt practical measures aimed at reducing daily salt intake to the recommended limit of five grams or less.

The organisations noted that Nigeria was 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 said Nigerians consume an estimated 3.8 grams of sodium, equivalent to about 10 grams of salt daily, almost double the World Health Organisation’s recommended limit of two grams of sodium or five 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,” the executive director of CCSI, Babafunke Fagbemi, said.

Jerome Mafeni, NHED’s technical adviser, warned that Nigeria’s healthcare system was already under pressure from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. He said the country might struggle to cope with the long-term social and economic consequences if urgent preventive measures were not implemented.

CAPPA’s executive director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said while efforts to address micronutrient deficiencies were important, nutrition policies must also align with broader public health goals.

The organisations urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NAFDAC, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, and other stakeholders to take proactive steps to protect Nigerians from harmful food environments.

Among other measures, they called for the enforcement of mandatory salt targets for processed foods, front-of-pack warning labels on ultra-processed products, stronger public education campaigns on the dangers of excessive salt consumption, and increased support for healthier food environments.

The groups also urged Nigerians to adopt healthier dietary habits by reducing the use of added salt and seasoning cubes, while incorporating natural spices such as ginger, curry, turmeric and fish powder into meals.

They further encouraged increased consumption of fresh foods, fruits and vegetables, as well as closer attention to food labels when making dietary choices.

(NAN)