The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Mojisola Adeyeye, has cautioned Nigerians against excessive sodium intake, linking it to the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular conditions, and stroke.
She issued the warning during a stakeholders’ meeting on the proposed Reduction of Sodium in Pre-Packaged Foods Regulations 2026, noting that high sodium consumption remains a major dietary risk factor for preventable deaths both globally and in Nigeria. She referenced guidance from the World Health Organization, which identifies reducing sodium intake as one of the most cost-effective ways to improve public health and lower premature deaths from NCDs.
Providing further insight, the agency’s Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Eva Edwards, stated that, “Nigerians consume an average of about 10 grams of salt daily, nearly twice the WHO recommended limit of 5 grams (equivalent to less than 2 grams of sodium per day).”
She added that national data shows sodium intake ranges between 2.85g and 10g daily, highlighting the urgency for intervention. Experts also note that non-communicable diseases account for about 29 per cent of deaths in Nigeria, with cardiovascular diseases making up a large portion.
Adeyeye attributed the high consumption levels to urbanisation, changing eating habits, and increased reliance on processed and pre-packaged foods, saying, “Pre-packaged foods now form a growing share of daily diets, especially in urban areas. While convenient, they contribute significantly to excessive sodium intake.”
Health specialists, including those from the Cardiovascular Unit of the University of Abuja, warned that excessive sodium intake is directly associated with hypertension, stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure.
To address the issue, NAFDAC is proposing measures that will: “set maximum sodium limits for selected food categories, mandate clear labelling of sodium content and encourage gradual reformulation of products by manufacturers.”
The initiative includes a phased reduction strategy starting with a 15 per cent decrease in sodium levels, in line with the WHO target of achieving a 30 per cent reduction in population sodium intake by 2030.
Adeyeye emphasised that success would require collaboration from the food industry and other stakeholders, stating, “The food industry plays a central role in reformulating products while maintaining quality and safety.”
Civil society groups also urged swift action, as Adeyeye described sodium reduction as a “national health priority,” warning that inaction could further strain Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“By taking decisive action today, we are protecting future generations from preventable diseases,” she said.
She added that stakeholders’ contributions would be reviewed before the draft is forwarded to the NAFDAC Governing Council and later to relevant ministries for final approval and gazetting.
