— As World Salt Awareness Week 2025 Kicks Off
By Babagana Bukar Wakil
As Nigeria joins the world to mark Salt Awareness Week 2025, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa CAPPA has issued a passionate call to the Federal Government to urgently accelerate regulations enforcing salt reduction in processed foods—warning that delays could worsen the country’s surging rates of hypertension, stroke, and kidney failure.
Referencing alarming World Health Organization (WHO) data, CAPPA noted that excessive salt consumption is a key driver of cardiovascular deaths and is one of the most preventable public health threats facing the nation. Nigeria’s daily salt intake of 7 to 9 grams far exceeds the WHO-recommended 5 grams, putting over 35% of Nigerian adults at risk of hypertension.
“This is a ticking time bomb for our health sector,” said CAPPA Executive Director Akinbode Oluwafemi. “We need enforceable salt limits, not just guidelines. The time to act is now.”
While applauding the recent launch of the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction by the Federal Ministry of Health, CAPPA urged immediate backing for NAFDAC to finalize and implement enforceable salt reduction standards, including front-of-pack warning labels and mandatory reformulation of food products.
The NGO blamed urbanization, deceptive food marketing, and cultural shifts for steering Nigerians toward ultra-processed, salt-heavy foods. It warned that without swift regulatory action, Nigeria will fall short of the global target to reduce salt intake by 30% by the end of 2025—a goal set by WHO member states.
Salt Awareness Week, observed from May 12–18, is a global campaign to promote heart-healthy diets and curb excess salt consumption.
CAPPA’s message is clear: Strong policy, swift action, and transparent food labeling could save thousands of lives annually.
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