The Nigeria Sodium Study Team, in partnership with the University of Abuja’s Cardiovascular Research Centre, has intensified its salt-reduction awareness campaign to reach broader segments of the population.
The initiative, which initially focused on students in universities across the country’s geopolitical zones, has now been scaled up to everyday Nigerians through mass media and grassroots engagement. The aim is to raise awareness about the health dangers of excessive salt consumption.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) data, Nigeria recorded 10,692 deaths from hypertension in 2020.
“Nigeria has one of the highest rates of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa, largely driven by poor dietary habits,” said Prof. Dike Ojji, lead investigator at the University of Abuja’s Cardiovascular Research Centre and head of the campaign.
He added, “Salt may taste good, but too much of it is destroying our health. To save lives, we must cut it down. Our people need to understand the dangers of excessive salt consumption. Without this awareness, many will remain ignorant, and changing salt-use behaviour will be difficult.”
Ojji explained that the campaign goes beyond sharing research findings, focusing instead on practical guidance. He urged Nigerians to taste food before adding salt, reduce reliance on seasoning cubes, and adopt healthier alternatives such as local spices.
The campaign builds on insights from the Nigeria Sodium Study, which assessed dietary sodium intake, surveyed retail products, and engaged stakeholders to shape effective national policy.
The study was conducted by the University of Abuja’s Cardiovascular Research Centre in collaboration with leading institutions, including Washington University in St. Louis, Northwestern University in Chicago, and The George Institute for Global Health in Australia.
The experts noted that the campaign could play a critical role in reducing the prevalence of hypertension, strokes, and kidney diseases, conditions that account for thousands of preventable deaths in Nigeria each year.
