Posted on: Thu 27-03-2025

With over 27.5 million Nigerians now battling hypertension, could excessive salt consumption be the major culprit? The Presidency has raised concerns over the alarming rise in hypertension cases, linking the trend to high sodium intake and its severe health consequences.

At the launch of the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction in Abuja, Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Anas Ibrahim, highlighted the increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), strokes, and end-stage renal diseases among Nigerians. But how much of this crisis is truly driven by diet?

How Severe is the Global Impact of High Sodium Consumption?

Could Nigeria’s situation be part of a larger global health crisis? Dr. Ibrahim pointed out that, worldwide, 1.8 million deaths and over 44 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost are attributed to excessive dietary sodium intake. In 2019 alone, 40.5 million DALYs were linked to CVDs, including stroke.

If dietary sodium levels were reduced by even 15%, would it be possible to prevent 8.5 million deaths over the next decade in developing nations? And could a 30% reduction in sodium intake save up to 40 million lives globally within 25 years?

What Measures is Nigeria Taking to Reduce Salt Intake?

In response to this growing crisis, is Nigeria implementing the right policies to curb sodium consumption? Dr. Ibrahim emphasized that Nigeria has integrated salt reduction strategies into its National Multi-Sectoral Action Plan (NMSAP) for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Some of the initiatives include:

•  Setting limits on sodium content in packaged foods.
•  Public health campaigns to educate Nigerians on healthy eating habits.
•  Regulating food and beverage advertising, particularly those targeting children and adolescents.

Are Nigerians Consuming More Salt Than Recommended?

How much sodium is too much? Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, revealed that the average daily salt intake in Nigeria far exceeds the WHO-recommended limit of 5 grams per day. In many Nigerian communities, people consume between 7 to 9 grams of salt daily—almost double the recommended amount.

But are urban lifestyles worsening the situation? Dr. Salako noted that in cities, many Nigerians consume highly processed, salt-laden meals, increasing their risk of hypertension and other life-threatening conditions. With 35% of the adult population affected by high blood pressure, how urgent is the need for nationwide dietary reforms?

Can Sodium Reduction Policies Save Lives in Nigeria?

With these findings, can Nigeria’s new sodium reduction guidelines effectively reverse the rising trend of hypertension? Or will entrenched dietary habits and limited public awareness continue to fuel the crisis?

As the government moves to enforce sodium intake regulations, what role can individuals, food producers, and health institutions play in preventing the devastating long-term health consequences of high salt consumption?

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