Public health advocacy groups have thrown their support behind the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as it advances new regulations to reduce sodium levels in pre-packaged foods.
Leading the call, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies designed to protect Nigerians from diet-related health risks.
CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, made the remarks during a stakeholders’ engagement convened to discuss the proposed sodium reduction framework. He commended NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, for her leadership and pledged continued collaboration.
“We remain committed to advocacy that strengthens public health. We stand with NAFDAC as it takes necessary steps to protect Nigerians,” Oluwafemi said.
Multi-Stakeholder Engagement
The one-day meeting, held in Lagos, brought together key stakeholders across the health and regulatory sectors. It was organised by NAFDAC in partnership with the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED).
In her address, Adeyeye highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which continue to rise both globally and within Nigeria.
“Excessive sodium intake is a major dietary risk factor contributing to hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke,” she noted.
Growing Health Concerns
Health experts at the event warned that the burden of NCDs is increasing, particularly among younger populations. NHED Technical Advisor, Jerome Mafeni, described the trend as a serious threat to the nation’s future health outcomes.
National Targets and Policy Direction
Efforts to reduce sodium consumption are already underway at the national level. In 2025, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare introduced the National Sodium Reduction Guideline, which sets out targets to lower salt intake across the population.
The policy aims to reduce average daily sodium intake to less than 2 grams per person equivalent to about 5 grams of salt by 2030. It also targets a 25 per cent reduction in hypertension prevalence nationwide.
Global Support
International health partners, including the World Health Organization, the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), described the engagement as both timely and necessary.
They urged NAFDAC to sustain its regulatory efforts while commending the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for its leadership in addressing public health challenges.
Strengthening Public Health Measures
Stakeholders agreed that reducing sodium consumption is a critical step in tackling the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria. They emphasized the need for continued collaboration between government agencies, advocacy groups, and industry players to ensure successful implementation.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve national health outcomes and promote safer dietary practices across the country.
