THE MINISTER of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, says the Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to protecting Nigerians against excessive salt consumption and unhealthy diets that are linked to non-communicable diseases.
Salako, who was represented by the Director, Food and Drug Services Department, Mrs Olubunmi Aribeana, said this at the launch of the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction in Abuja on Wednesday
“Today is a defining moment in our nation’s commitment to protect and enhance the health of every Nigerian.
“It is with great pride and solemn responsibility that we launch our National Guideline for Sodium Reduction, a carefully crafted framework that symbolises our collective determination to prevent the adverse health consequences of excessive sodium intake.
“As part of the global community, our country has witnessed the transformative power of urbanisation with our diets increasingly incorporating processed and packaged foods.
“These changes have created new challenges to our healthcare landscape and necessitate bold public health initiatives to safeguard our communities against silent threats — one of which is the elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases linked to high sodium consumption.”
According to the minister, research has shown that the average salt intake in Nigeria far exceeds the World Health Organisation’s recommended limit of five grams per day, with many communities consuming between seven and nine grams daily.
“This excessive overconsumption of sodium is directly tied to the alarming rise in hypertension, now affecting over 35 per cent of adults in our population.
“The situation is exacerbated in urban areas, where dining habits lean heavily towards saltier prepared meals, unconsciously risking our lives with dietary habits that could lead to devastating long-term health consequences.
“These figures are not mere statistics; they are a clarion call for accelerated efforts, rigorous monitoring, and creative strategies. Our guideline serves as a blueprint for action and a beacon of hope amid these challenges.
“The document before us is the first of its kind on the Continent of Africa — a living manifesto for change — one that harmonises global recommendations with the local context,” minister said.
He urged public health advocates, educators, and community leaders to support the national effort through community outreach to educate families and individuals on the benefits of reduced sodium intake and encourage healthier cooking practices.
“To the academia, we need more collaboration on Research and Data collection to enhance our understanding of sodium consumption patterns and the effectiveness of ongoing interventions.
“We all need to participate in public discourse—contributing your insights and feedback through public forums and consultations, ensuring that our policies remain aligned with the evolving needs of Nigerians.
“The commitment we make today to reduce sodium consumption is an investment in the longevity, vitality, and prosperity of our people,” minister said.
According to him, today also marks another significant milestone as we not only launch the Sodium Reduction Guideline but also unveil the “National Guideline for Food Handlers’ Medical Test.”
“This guideline is a critical step in ensuring the health and safety of our food supply chain by unifying and ensuring regular medical examinations are conducted for food handlers.
“Together, these guidelines form a cohesive framework that directly supports the implementation of the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its Implementation Plan, 2023.
“By addressing both individual health awareness and systemic food safety standards, we are fostering a unified approach to achieving safer, healthier, and more reliable food practices across the nation,’’ he said.
In his remarks, Dr Walter Mulombo, World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative to Nigeria, lauded the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction, saying it would create a healthier food landscape in Nigeria.
Mulombo, who was represented by Dr Pindar Wakawa, WHO Technical Officer for Nutrition and Food Safety, added that it would empower consumers, promote transparency, and foster collaboration between policymakers and the food industry.
According to him, WHO recommends consuming less than 5 grams of salt per day for adults daily from all sources, which is less than a teaspoon?
“In many countries, three-quarters of sodium in the diet comes from ultra-processed and processed foods, such as bread, sauces and dressings, crackers and cookies, ready-to-eat meals, processed meats, and cheeses.
“Excessive salt consumption is linked to non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, gastric cancer and kidney disease. The irony of this is that most people don’t know the amount of sodium they consume.
“The global average intake of sodium averages 10.8g/day which is more than double the WHO recommendation, highlighting the urgency of a sustainable action,’’ Mulombo said
He said sodium reduction plays a key role in protecting populations from the burden of noncommunicable diseases.
“In 2013, all 194 WHO Member States committed to reducing population sodium intake by 30 per cent by the year 2025. Since then, progress has been slow and only a few countries have been able to reduce population sodium intake.
“As such, it is being considered to extend the target to 2030. If the WHO recommended, policies were implemented, we would see sodium consumption reduced by over 20 per cent, getting close to the target set in 2013.
“This government-led multi-pronged population salt reduction guideline will require the commitment and participation of all stakeholders for successful implementation.’’
According to him, reducing sodium intake is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve health and reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, as it can avert many cardiovascular events and deaths at very low total programme costs.
Also speaking, Mr Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), advocated effective implementation of the guideline, to reduce excessive sodium intake.
Oluwafemi said that the guideline would also help in reducing cases of cardiovascular diseases and Non communicable Diseases in the country.
“We remain committed to our partnership with the ministry and its agencies in promoting policies to enhance positive health outcomes.” (NAN)
