As Nigeria joined the global community to commemorate World Salt Awareness Week 2026, the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), and partners under the Coalition for Healthy Food Advocacy have called for stronger measures to curb excessive salt consumption and promote healthier food environments across the country.

Briefing journalists yesterday in Abuja, NHED Country Director, Emmanuel Sokpo, warned that many Nigerians consume more salt than is recommended, often unknowingly, due to the increasing presence of hidden salt in processed and packaged foods commonly consumed daily.

Sokpo stressed the need to tackle the growing burden of hypertension, stroke, heart disease and other non-communicable diseases linked to excessive sodium intake.

He noted that products such as seasoning cubes, instant noodles, processed snacks, bread, fast foods and processed meats contribute significantly to sodium consumption and increase the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

According to him, reducing excessive salt intake remains one of the simplest, most affordable and effective public health interventions for preventing avoidable illnesses and deaths.

Sokpo also called for stronger public awareness, improved food-labelling systems, healthier food policies and sustained collaboration among government, civil society, the media and other stakeholders to encourage healthier diets and informed food choices.

Also speaking, NHED Technical Lead, Dr Jerome Mafeni, highlighted the public health implications of excessive sodium consumption, warning that hypertension remains a major health challenge in Nigeria.

He explained that many people are unaware of the amount of sodium they consume daily because high levels of salt are increasingly hidden in everyday processed and packaged foods.

Mafeni stated that the burden of hypertension in Nigeria is closely linked to the food environments consumers are exposed to daily, adding that public education and healthier food systems are critical to improving health outcomes.

He stressed the need for clearer nutrition information, sodium reduction initiatives and healthier food environments that support healthier consumer choices.

Speaking on behalf of CAPPA’s Executive Director, Programme Officer Bukola Olukemi Odele emphasised the importance of consumer protection, accountability and stronger food policies in promoting healthier diets.