Health professionals have called on Nigerian authorities to introduce more robust public health policies to address the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country. The call was made during a media roundtable organised on Wednesday in Abuja by the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED).

The event focused on promoting healthier food environments in Nigeria, particularly through sodium reduction and the adoption of Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL) on food products. The experts highlighted excessive sodium consumption as a major contributor to hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.

A global health advocate, Joseph Ekio, said excessive sodium intake is a major driver of high blood pressure and cardiovascular conditions, which, along with diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory illnesses, make up the majority of NCD cases globally.

“NCDs have become the leading cause of disease and death globally,” he said, adding that countries like Nigeria bear a disproportionate share of this burden.

Mr Ekio emphasised that sodium consumption is often linked to daily habits, which makes public education and policy implementation vital. “There can be no effective intervention without policy. All hands must be on deck to address this issue comprehensively,” he said.

He also stressed the role of the media in raising awareness and influencing behavioural change. “It’s not just about passing pro-health and pro-poor regulations; there must be political will to implement and sustain them,” he added.

Associate Director of the Food Justice Programme at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, Abayomi Sarumi, also underscored the importance of media involvement in educating the public. “People need to understand that excess salt intake is more than just sweaty palms or a risk of hypertension. It’s a serious health threat,” he said.

Mr Sarumi warned that misinformation, cultural beliefs, and traditional norms often obscure the dangers associated with excessive salt intake, making accurate and sustained media reporting essential.

Joy Amafah, Nigeria Country Coordinator for the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, criticised the aggressive marketing of ultra-processed products and linked it to the rising prevalence of NCDs in Nigeria and across Africa.

She advocated for the adoption of Nutrition Profile Modelling (NPM), Front-of-Pack Warning Labels, and sodium reduction strategies to counter the trend. She also noted that media platforms remain essential in driving policy awareness and public understanding of the health risks.

The roundtable concluded with a consensus that policy reform, public education, and consistent advocacy are needed to reduce sodium intake and lower the national NCD burden.