The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has reaffirmed its support for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over its ongoing efforts to develop regulations aimed at safeguarding public health through sodium reduction in foods.
CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, gave the assurance during a stakeholders’ engagement on proposed sodium reduction regulations for pre-packaged foods. He also commended NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, for her leadership and achievements, pledging continued advocacy support for the agency.
The one-day engagement, held in Lagos on April 1, 2026, brought together key stakeholders and was convened by NAFDAC in collaboration with the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED).
“We are delighted to be here today… 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,” Oluwafemi said.
In her remarks, Prof. Adeyeye emphasized that the engagement reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s food regulatory system and protecting citizens’ health.
She noted that diet-related non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke are increasing both globally and in Nigeria, with excessive sodium intake identified as a major contributing factor.
Also speaking, NHED Technical Advisor, Jerome Mafeni, warned of rising cases of non-communicable diseases among younger Nigerians, describing the trend as a looming public health crisis.
In 2025, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare launched the National Sodium Reduction Guideline, which sets mandatory sodium limits for processed and pre-packaged foods.
The initiative targets reducing average daily sodium intake to less than 2 grams per person (equivalent to 5 grams of salt) by 2030, alongside a 25 percent reduction in hypertension prevalence.
Global partners, including the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, the World Health Organization, and Resolve to Save Lives, described the engagement as timely and crucial.
They urged NAFDAC to sustain momentum while commending the ministry’s leadership in advancing public health reforms.
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