By Ebi Kesiena
The Nigerian presidency has expressed deep concern over the rising cases of hypertension linked to excessive salt intake, affecting over 27.5 million Nigerians.
Speaking at the launch of The National Guideline for Sodium Reduction in Abuja, Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salma Anas Ibrahim, warned that high dietary sodium intake significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and end-stage renal disease. She emphasised that reducing sodium consumption is one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent chronic illnesses, as endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Citing global statistics, Dr Ibrahim noted that excessive sodium intake was responsible for 1.8 million deaths and over 44 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost in 2019. A 30% reduction in sodium consumption, she added, could save 40 million lives worldwide over the next 25 years.
Nigeria has already taken steps to address the crisis through initiatives such as the National Multi-Sectoral Action Plan (NMSAP) for Non-Communicable Disease Control. The country’s sodium reduction programme includes setting limits on sodium content in packaged foods, launching public awareness campaigns on healthy eating, and regulating food and beverage advertising, particularly for children and adolescents.
Dr Ibrahim described the new guideline as a crucial step towards improving public health, aligning with Nigeria’s National Policy on Food Safety and Quality. She stressed that effective implementation could drive reformulation of processed foods, establish sodium benchmarks, and promote healthier dietary habits.
She urged Nigerians to adopt simple habits to lower sodium intake, such as cooking with less salt, using salt-free seasonings, choosing low-sodium products, and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.
Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, revealed that many Nigerian communities consume between 7 to 9 grams of salt daily—well above the WHO’s recommended limit of 5 grams. He called for collective efforts to enforce sodium reduction policies and promote healthier lifestyles nationwide.
