… Experts blame ultra-processed foodsBy Henry Obetta
Public health experts have raised concern over the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, NCDs, in Nigeria, revealing that illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and cardiovascular conditions now account for about 30 percent of deaths in the country.
They attributed the increase largely to excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods high in salt, sugar and unhealthy fats, and called for urgent regulatory measures including mandatory salt reduction and clear front-of-pack labeling, FOPL, to help consumers make informed food choices.
The experts spoke in Lagos at a Journalism Training on Salt Reduction and Front-of-Pack Labelling in Nigeria, organised by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, in collaboration with the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, GHAI.
Food Safety Technical Lead at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mr. Femi Stephen, said the rise in NCDs is straining Nigeria’s healthcare system and affecting national productivity.
“One of the fastest-rising medical specialties today is cardiology because hospitals are seeing a surge in cardiovascular cases. General practitioners alone cannot cope. This is not only a healthcare issue but a national development challenge,” Stephen said.
He stressed that focusing only on treatment is unsustainable.
“We must prioritise prevention. If the preventive aspect of non-communicable diseases is not addressed, the burden on society will continue to grow,” he added.
Stephen disclosed that research shows Nigerians consume an average of 3.9 grams of sodium daily, nearly double the World Health Organization’s recommended 2 grams per day.
“High sodium intake is a leading contributor to hypertension, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke,” he said.
To address this, he said the ministry developed a National Multi-sectoral Action Plan targeting a 30 percent reduction in salt intake.
“We reviewed the national food safety and quality policy to include NCD prevention, set mandatory salt targets, and introduced front-of-pack labelling based on national data,” Stephen explained, urging journalists to investigate food industry practices.
Public health consultant and general physician, Dr. Joseph Ekiyor, highlighted the economic toll of NCDs, noting that they require long-term care and repeated hospital visits.
“These diseases are expensive to manage and last a lifetime. Unlike infectious diseases, they do not just go away,” he said.
He dispelled the notion that NCDs affect only the wealthy.
“It used to be seen as a disease of the rich, but now ordinary Nigerians — especially low-income earners in their productive years — are the most affected,” he said. “Many deaths go undocumented because people attribute them to spiritual causes before diagnosis is made.”
Ekiyor warned that unhealthy lifestyles can have intergenerational consequences.
“A woman who becomes hypertensive or diabetic due to poor lifestyle choices increases the risk for her child to develop similar conditions,” he noted.
Technical Adviser at the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), Mr. Jerome Mafeni, said effective front-of-pack labels must be simple, visible and easy to understand.
“These labels should be right in front, not hidden in microscopic print. They help consumers quickly decide whether to buy a product,” he said.
He emphasised the role of policy in regulating the food industry.
“If you don’t set rules, the industry will act in its own interest. Policies are essential to protect public health,” Mafeni said.
Programme Officer for Cardiovascular Health at CAPPA, Ms. Bukola Odele, urged the government to enforce limits on unhealthy ingredients and regulate food marketing.
“We must tell industries that the salt or sodium in packaged food must not exceed a set limit, and government must enforce it,” she said. “We also need to restrict the marketing of unhealthy foods and introduce fiscal policies to tax them. When unhealthy foods become more expensive, consumption will drop.”
Odele identified illiteracy and time constraints as barriers to effective label use.
“Many people cannot interpret nutrient tables. Even educated consumers often have only a few seconds to make purchase decisions. That’s why simple front-of-pack labels are critical,” she explained.
In his remarks, CAPPA Executive Director, Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, said the training was designed to equip journalists to report more effectively on Nigeria’s growing food and health crisis.
“The media has a crucial role in exposing harmful industry practices and promoting policies that protect public health,” he said.
Experts agreed that without decisive action on food regulation, labelling and public awareness, Nigeria faces an escalating health and economic crisis driven by preventable diseases.
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