The federal government has attributed the surge in non-communicable diseases in the country to high sodium consumption, emphasising the need for Nigerians to reduce their sodium intake level.

Speaking at a one-day media training on sodium reduction organised by the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) in Abuja, the Food Safety Lead at the Federal Ministry of Health, Femi Stephen, observed that excessive sodium intake had led to an increase in hypertension, a major risk factor for stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.

Stephen noted that the government had developed the National Guidelines for Sodium Reduction as a way to reduce sodium consumption. He said: “Part of what we want to do in implementing the National Guidelines for Sodium Reduction is to pass this knowledge down to everybody in the country, particularly those that are vulnerable, those that are already suffering from cardiovascular issues, and those that have not started suffering from it, we need to stop them because these cardiovascular issues are lifelong battles, they are not like malaria that you take a drug one day and you’re okay. It changes the dynamics of finances in every family, the economic dynamics in every household.”

According to him, the guidelines were modelled after WHO’s SHAKE package, which is a global strategy for reducing salt intake through surveillance, reformulation of food products, front-of-pack labelling, and public education.

Stephen emphasised that effective implementation of the guideline would significantly help to curb the rising tide of non-communicable diseases linked to high salt consumption.

In her welcome remarks, the Executive Director of CCSI, Babafunke Fagbemi, described excessive sodium consumption as a silent contributor to the range of non-communicable diseases impacting the health and well-being of Nigerians. Buy vitamins and supplements

Fagbemi, who was represented by the Head of Programmes, Oluseyi Akintola, observed that the CCSI is deeply committed to improving public health through evidence-based campaigns, outreaches and interventions.

She noted that the workshop aimed to equip journalists with the latest science, data and communication tools on sodium reduction, to enable them to have a risk-free, cross-cultural narrative that resonates with the public.

In her presentation, the Programme Lead for Cardiovascular Health at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Bukola Olukemi-Odele, described excessive sodium consumption as a silent threat gradually eroding the nation’s health.

She said, “Excess sodium intake is slowly destroying public health, yet it often goes unnoticed. As Nigerians consume far more than the WHO’s recommended limit of 2,000 mg per day (about one teaspoon) of salt, this is contributing to the alarming rise in cases of hypertension, stroke, and heart-related ailments. (The Guardian, but headline rejigged)