Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, and other stakeholders support National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, for the proposed sodium reduction regulations.

These regulations aim to tackle the rising burden of hypertension and other diet-related diseases in Nigeria.

CAPPA's Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, gave assurance during stakeholders' engagement on sodium reduction in pre-packaged foods.

He commended the leadership of NAFDAC's Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye.

'We are delighted to be here today, and all I can say to you, Madam DG, is congratulations,' Oluwafemi said.
'I want to assure you of our commitment to advocacy that strengthens public health. We stand with NAFDAC and will continue to do so as you take difficult but necessary decisions to protect the health of Nigerians.'

The one-day engagement was organized by NAFDAC in collaboration with Network for Health Equity and Development, NHED.

It brought together key stakeholders from health and regulatory sectors.

In her remarks, Adeyeye said the engagement showed shared commitment to safeguarding public health.

It also aimed to strengthen Nigeria's food regulatory framework.

'As you are aware, diet-related non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke are on the rise globally and within Nigeria,' she said.
'Excessive sodium intake has been identified as one of the leading dietary risk factors contributing to these conditions.'

She stressed the need for urgent and coordinated action to reduce sodium consumption.

This would improve health outcomes nationwide, she added.

Also speaking, NHED Technical Advisor, Dr. Jerome Mafeni, warned that non-communicable diseases increasingly affect younger populations.

He described this as a serious threat to the country's future.

Stakeholders at the meeting rallied support for the proposed sodium regulations.

They described them as critical to reversing the growing prevalence of hypertension.

They also related illnesses, the stakeholders said.

In 2025, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare launched the National Sodium Reduction Guideline.

This guideline aims to set mandatory sodium limits for processed and pre-packaged foods.

The guideline seeks to reduce average daily sodium intake to below 2 grams per person.

This is equivalent to 5 grams of salt, by 2030.

It also aims for a 25 per cent reduction in hypertension prevalence.

Global partners, including the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, the World Health Organisation, and Resolve to Save Lives, described the move as timely.

They urged sustained efforts to safeguard public health.

They also commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for its leadership.

This leadership was in addressing diet-related health risks, the partners said.

Sodium: CAPPA, stakeholders back NAFDAC to curb hypertension

Suggested for you

More Stories

Tinubu praises Gbenga Daniel as loyal ally at 70, supports amnesty for repatriated funds

Biafra agitation will continue under new identity - Group says

Police give N54 million to families of police killed on duty

Court orders hotel, school, event center and other fraudulent property linked to pastor to be transferred to government

Pat Utomi alleges Tinubu plans to use courts and INEC to block opposition in 2027

Police officers refund N1.4 million allegedly extorted from four Nigerians

Discussion