Reduce salt intake, experts warn of rising hypertension, kidney failure

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Stakeholders on Saturday urged Nigerians to reduce their salt consumption, warning that rising rates of hypertension, kidney failure, and heart disease are linked to excessive sodium intake.

They made the call during a public sensitisation campaign in Abuja, part of a three-day national salt-reduction outreach aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of excessive sodium consumption.

The initiative, organised by the Centre for Communication and Social Impact, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the global health organisation Resolve to Save Lives, sought to educate citizens on healthier eating habits and the long-term risks of high salt intake.

Operating under the theme “Let Your Health Guide Your Taste,” the campaign reached major markets and public areas across the Federal Capital Territory to engage shoppers, food vendors, and households directly.

The World Health Organisation warns that consuming more than the recommended five grams of salt per day significantly increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage, making sodium reduction one of the most effective strategies for preventing premature deaths globally.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Abah Ochigbo of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital warned of alarming spikes in cardiovascular diseases among Nigerians aged 20 to 40.

Abah linked the trend to westernised diets, fast food, processed meals high in sodium, and the growing culture of adding raw table salt to cooked food. He also associated excess salt intake with osteoporosis, joint pain, body swelling, and fluid retention that damages the kidneys.

“Before now, hypertension and heart failure were rare among young people. But we are now seeing hypertensive heart disease, kidney failure, and even ventricular heart failure in people who should be in their most productive years.

“We don’t have enough doctors, nurses, hospitals, or consumables.

“Curative care is extremely expensive. Preventive medicine, like simply reducing salt, is cheaper, safer, and saves lives,” he cautioned.

He urged Nigerians to read food labels carefully, prepare meals at home, and use natural spices such as ginger, garlic, turmeric, and cloves as healthier alternatives.

The Head of Programmes at CCSI, Oluseyi Akintola, noted that many Nigerians unknowingly consume far more than the WHO-recommended daily limit of five milligrams of salt, exposing themselves to serious health risks.

“We overshoot it in Nigeria because of the things we eat—snacks, suya, kilishi, packaged foods, even home-cooked meals.

“Taking too much salt is not inborn. It’s an acquired habit. And what you learn, you can unlearn,” he stated.

He also said the campaign aims to teach residents to measure their daily salt allowance using a level teaspoon, noting that many people exceed their daily limit even before lunchtime.

Akintola said the organisation, in collaboration with other partners, is advocating front-of-pack labelling, which will require food manufacturers to clearly display sodium levels on their products.

According to him, implementation would begin next year, once the National Sodium Reduction Guidelines are enforced.

Also, the Media and Programme Officer at CCSI, Anna White-Agbo, emphasised that the organisation is leveraging multiple platforms to spread the message, including physical outreach, online education, influencer campaigns, and on-site blood pressure screenings during campaigns.

She noted that many Nigerians struggle to interpret sodium information on food labels, with some mistakenly believing the listed values apply to an entire pack rather than a single serving.

White-Agbo added that the campaign will expand nationwide next year to reach more communities with limited access to health information.

“Our goal is to empower people to make better choices for themselves—and to demand stronger policies from the government,” she said.

In Nigeria, the health landscape is experiencing a concerning epidemiological shift.

While infectious diseases remain a challenge, the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases, particularly cardiovascular illnesses, is rising sharply.

The reduction of dietary sodium is recognised by the World Health Organisation as one of the most cost-effective strategies for preventing non-communicable diseases globally.

The PUNCH journalist, Lara, has over 10 years experience covering health, environment and CSOs

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