Nigerians Eat Twice WHO’s Salt Limit – Minister
The Federal Government has raised alarm over excessive salt consumption in Nigeria, revealing that adults consume between 3.9g and 4.9g of sodium daily, equivalent to 10–12g of salt, nearly double the WHO’s recommended limit of 2g sodium (5g salt).
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, disclosed this in Abuja at the launch of the National Guidelines for Public Procurement of Food and Related Services, warning that poor diets are fueling the rise of non-communicable diseases.
“Unhealthy diets contribute to about 7.2 million deaths globally every year, driven largely by excessive consumption of salt, sugar and unhealthy fats,” he noted.
The WHO identifies high sodium intake as a leading risk factor for hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease, stressing that salt reduction is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions.
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Salako highlighted Nigeria’s interventions, including the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax (2021) and restrictions on industrial trans fats, aimed at curbing obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular risks.
The new procurement guidelines set nutrition standards for food purchased with public funds, limiting sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats in meals served in schools, hospitals, prisons, and military institutions.
“When the government demands healthier food, it creates incentives for the entire food system to innovate and align with higher public health standards,” Salako said.
He also pointed to Nigeria’s persistent nutrition challenges: nearly four in 10 children under five are stunted, and about two million suffer severe acute malnutrition annually.
Malnutrition, he warned, undermines education, productivity, and national competitiveness.
The minister stressed that success depends on strict implementation, urging procurement officers to enforce compliance.
He expressed confidence that the guidelines, alongside existing policies on sodium reduction and food safety, would help Nigeria reduce diet-related diseases and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
