World Salt Awareness Week: NHED, CCSI, CAPPA Demand Urgent Action On Excess Salt Consumption In Nigeria

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 on the Federal Government to implement urgent sodium reduction policies and ensure access to safe, healthy, and nutritious foods for Nigerians.

The organisations made the call in a joint statement issued to commemorate World Salt Awareness Week 2026.

According to the groups, this year’s theme, “Salt It Out,” highlights the urgent need to tackle excessive salt consumption, which they described as a major contributor to hypertension, stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, and other non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.

They noted that 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 2 grams of sodium or 5 grams of salt per day.

Executive Director of CCSI, Babafunke Fagbemi, described excessive salt consumption as a growing public health emergency linked to the rising cases of cardiovascular diseases across the country.

“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 said.

Fagbemi stressed that sodium reduction should become a national health priority supported by enforceable policies such as mandatory sodium targets, front-of-pack warning labels, and stronger public awareness campaigns.

Technical Adviser of NHED, Dr. Jerome Mafeni, warned that the growing burden of non-communicable diseases could place additional pressure on Nigeria’s healthcare system if urgent preventive measures are not introduced.

On behalf of CAPPA, Executive Director Akinbode Oluwafemi cautioned that nutrition policies must align with broader public health goals to avoid encouraging increased consumption of ultra-processed foods linked to diet-related illnesses.

The organisations urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and other stakeholders to enforce mandatory salt targets for processed foods and introduce front-of-pack warning labels on ultra-processed products.

They also called for sustained public education campaigns on the dangers of excessive salt intake and stronger support for healthier food environments.

The coalition advised Nigerians to adopt healthier eating habits by reducing the use of added salt and seasoning cubes, consuming more fresh foods, fruits and vegetables, and incorporating natural spices such as ginger, turmeric, curry, and fish powder into meals.

World Salt Awareness Week 2026 runs from May 11 to May 17 with a focus on reducing dietary salt intake to prevent hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage.