Salt has been identified as a silent killer in Nigeria. Health experts warn that cases of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) may rise in the coming years due to people’s lack of awareness and unhealthy habits, especially the high consumption of salt.
Experts are worried that many Nigerians—especially young people—eat too much food high in salt, sugar, and other unhealthy ingredients. There is little awareness, and the agencies responsible for monitoring these food contents are not doing enough.
Whether they realize it or not, many people are regularly exposed to these unhealthy substances. Eating such foods for a long time increases the risk of deadly diseases, which are now affecting more young people in Nigeria.
Every day, Nigerians consume salt from various sources—food, drinks, snacks, vegetables, and more. Salt contains 40% sodium and 60% chloride, and most people eat more than the body needs.
Even unprocessed foods like milk, fish, poultry, and eggs naturally contain some sodium. This means people often consume more salt than recommended, without realizing it.
The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that adults should eat no more than two grams of sodium daily—about one level teaspoon of salt. But studies show that Nigerians eat between 3 to 10 grams daily, far above the safe limit.
Salt is not all bad. It helps the body maintain fluid balance, control acid levels, and support muscle and nerve functions. But too much salt is harmful.
Recently, the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) launched a campaign to warn Nigerians about the dangers of eating too much salt.
CCSI, together with partners like GHAI, CAPPA, and the University of Abuja, said many Nigerians are exposed to harmful levels of salt, often due to ignorance or lack of proper information.
They warned of a looming public health crisis, blaming both the government and the media for not doing enough to educate people about the dangers of excess salt intake.
At a workshop in Abuja, CCSI showed how bad the salt situation is and challenged stakeholders, including researchers, the media, and government agencies, to act now to reduce salt consumption.
CCSI said that high salt intake is fueling many non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria. They called on the media and others to raise awareness and educate the public about this serious issue.
CCSI said, “We help develop communication strategies to support the proper implementation, tracking, and sharing of health campaigns.”
Bukola Olukemi-Odele, a food and nutrition expert with CAPPA, explained the health risks of eating too much salt. She said people must reduce their salt intake—both as individuals and as a society—to avoid future health problems.
She shared data showing that NCDs cause about 29% of deaths in Nigeria every year. These include heart disease (11%), cancer (4%), lung disease (2%), and diabetes (1%), while other NCDs account for 12%. All these diseases are linked to high salt intake. How to Fix the Problem
Studies show that salt is often hidden in common foods like seasoning cubes, preservatives, and baking soda, and in processed foods like ketchup, salad dressings, frozen meals, and snacks. Street food like suya and kilish also contains high levels of salt.
Campaigns to reduce salt in foods can improve heart health, lower blood pressure, and prevent deaths from NCDs. It is considered one of the most effective and low-cost ways to improve public health.
This can be done by increasing taxes on salty foods, enforcing stricter rules for companies that produce salty products, and using clear food labels that show ingredients in a simple way for consumers to understand.
Experts say reducing salt will help cut down hospital bills, increase life expectancy, and make people more productive.
Femi Stephen, a Federal Ministry of Health official, said the government has created a National Guideline on Sodium Reduction. This aims to keep Nigerians’ salt intake within healthy levels.
He urged support from all Nigerians, especially food producers, to help the government reach its goal of cutting salt intake by 30% by 2030. He also promoted the message: “Let your health guide your taste.”
Stephen added that manufacturers have been told to start reformulating their products, especially those with high salt content.
The National Guideline also calls for banning or limiting adverts for salty foods and introducing high taxes on them. The revenue from these taxes could be used to treat NCDs.
It also requires food labels to clearly list ingredients and their amounts on the front of the pack, so consumers know what they’re eating.
Olukemi-Odele also said that reducing salt intake by 30% could save 1.6 million lives each year. She called for a strong effort from the government and the public, and advised people to use natural seasonings instead of bouillon cubes and salty additives.
A Growing Health Threat
Food and science expert John Tehinse, from the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), also warned of a coming health crisis due to high salt consumption.
He said research has linked excess salt to kidney disease, stomach cancer, and weak bones (osteoporosis). These diseases are spreading fast among Nigerians.
He pointed to the National Sodium Reduction Guideline, which aims to reduce salt in unprocessed foods by 15% from 2026–2028, and another 15% between 2029–2030.
Research shows that although salt is essential in small amounts, it is now turning into a silent killer in Nigeria, fueling the rising number of NCDs.
Tehinse said, “We must seriously follow the national guidelines. We need to support companies to change their recipes and reduce the salt in foods like bread, noodles, snacks, and seasoning cubes.”
