The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has cautioned Nigerians against excessive sodium intake to prevent diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke.
She noted that these conditions are currently on the rise both globally and within Nigeria.
Prof. Adeyeye gave this admonition during a stakeholders’ engagement on the draft NAFDAC Reduction of Sodium in Pre-packaged Foods Regulations 2026.
She highlighted that excessive sodium consumption has been identified as one of the leading dietary risk factors contributing to these life-threatening conditions.
According to the Director General, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to emphasize sodium reduction as a cost-effective strategy for improving population health and preventing premature deaths.
In Nigeria, Prof. Adeyeye observed that changing dietary patterns, rapid urbanization, and the increased consumption of processed foods have significantly contributed to higher sodium intake.
Recognizing this emerging public health concern, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoH&SW) and NAFDAC has taken proactive steps to address the challenge.
She maintained that the 2026 Regulations are a key component of broader strategies to promote healthier diets.
These regulations aim to establish maximum sodium limits in selected categories of processed foods, ensure clear and transparent labeling of sodium content, and encourage manufacturers to reformulate products so consumers can make healthier choices.
The NAFDAC boss pointed out that regulations alone cannot achieve the desired impact without the active participation of all stakeholders.
She stressed that the food industry plays a central role in reformulating products to reduce sodium while maintaining safety, quality, and consumer acceptability.
Simultaneously, she emphasized that regulators, researchers, public health advocates, and consumer organizations must work collaboratively to ensure implementation, monitoring, and compliance.
The Cardiovascular Unit of the University of Abuja, which was present at the meeting, has worked closely with the FMoH&SW and NAFDAC and expressed its full support for the regulations.
Other partners, including the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), Resolve to Save Lives, and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), also underscored the importance of reducing sodium intake as a vital means of preventing NCDs.
Prof. Adeyeye added that the engagement provided an invaluable platform to clarify the proposed regulations, obtain constructive feedback from the industry, identify practical implementation strategies, and strengthen collaboration to advance healthier food environments in Nigeria.
“At NAFDAC, we recognize that regulatory reforms must be evidence-based, transparent, and inclusive. Our goal is not to disrupt industry operations, but to work with all partners to create a food system that supports both public health and a sustainable economy,” the DG explained.
The Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN), Mrs. Eva Edwards, corroborated the DG’s position, stating that NCDs remain a major public health concern in Nigeria, with cardiovascular diseases accounting for a significant proportion of morbidity and mortality.
She disclosed that while the WHO recommends a daily sodium intake of less than 2 grams (equivalent to 5 grams or less than one teaspoon of salt), available data indicates that the average salt consumption in Nigeria is approximately 10 grams per day double the recommended limit.
Mrs. Edwards warned that while sodium is essential for physiological functions like nerve transmission and fluid balance, the body requires only minimal amounts. Current consumption levels far exceed these needs, driving the scourge of heart disease and kidney-related conditions.
She further explained that the draft regulations incorporate a phased sodium reduction strategy.
This begins with an initial 15% reduction target and progresses toward the national goal, which aligns with the WHO global target of achieving a 30% reduction in population sodium intake by 2030.
The Director General concluded the meeting by emphasizing that the inputs received will be used to refine the draft regulations before they are presented to the NAFDAC Governing Council for further assessment. Thereafter, the document will undergo additional review by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice before being officially gazetted. In the interim, the food industry has been sensitized to these developments and the expectations for the phased reduction of sodium in processed foods.