The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has raised alarm over the rising cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria, linking the trend to excessive salt consumption. Speaking at a two-day journalism workshop in Port Harcourt, CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said the rate at which Nigerians consume salt — especially through processed and packaged foods — has become a major public health concern. The workshop was organised in collaboration with the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Centre for Communication and Social Impact, and the University of Abuja.
With the theme: “Salt/FOPL Journalism Training on Industry Interference and Response Building,” the session was aimed at equipping journalists to better report and educate the public on the health risks associated with high salt intake. “Nigerians consume far more salt than the World Health Organisation’s recommended limit of five grams per day,” Oluwafemi said. “What is worrisome is that most of this salt is hidden in processed foods.” He called for mandatory salt reduction targets for processed and pre-packaged foods as well as the adoption of front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) to help consumers easily identify healthier products. He also warned about the increasing influence of food corporations on policymaking, saying such interference could stall public health reforms.
Also speaking, Public Health Physician Dr. Joseph Ekiyor highlighted the severe consequences of high sodium intake. He noted that excessive salt consumption significantly raises the risk of hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and other vascular diseases. According to him, cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death globally, with low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria bearing the highest burden. Ekiyor stressed the need for strong government policies to regulate salt levels in processed foods and encouraged manufacturers to adopt healthier production practices.
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In his remarks, Dr. Jerome Mafeni, Technical Advisor at NHED, urged journalists to play a proactive role in driving public awareness and advocacy. “The media must continuously educate Nigerians on the dangers of excessive salt intake,” he said. “At the policy level, regulation is necessary to protect citizens and enable informed food choices.” Mafeni noted that while some progress had been made through advocacy and stakeholder engagement, such efforts have often faced resistance from industry players and bureaucratic hurdles. He called for sustained pressure to ensure that public health interests are prioritised over commercial influence.
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