As Nigeria joins the global community in celebrating World Consumer Rights Day, public health advocates are urging the Federal and state governments to take decisive action towards ensuring consumer safety through food regulation.
Themed “Safe Products, Confident Consumers,” this year’s observance highlights the critical need for mandatory salt targets and front-of-pack labeling (FOPL) on all processed and pre-packaged foods.
In a powerful joint statement, the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) called attention to the alarming rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria.
These conditions, including hypertension, heart disease, and kidney failure, are now linked to 29% of all deaths in the country, with excess salt consumption identified as a major contributor.
Current statistics reveal that the average Nigerian consumes up to 10 grams of salt daily, nearly double the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 5 grams.
The coalition emphasizes that without appropriate labeling, consumers remain unaware of the dangers posed by high-salt products, making them vulnerable to preventable health issues.
The Coalition believes Nigerian consumers have the right to clear and straightforward information regarding the contents of their food.
“Current labeling practices are often complicated and misleading,” said a representative from NHED.
“Front-of-pack labels can empower consumers to make informed choices and avoid products laden with hidden salts that contribute to disease.”
The advocates commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for launching the National Guidelines for Sodium Reduction in 2025, but stressed that guidelines alone are not enough. There is a pressing need for enforcement to meet the national goal of a 30% reduction in salt intake by 2030.
Processed foods, including noodles, salad dressings, frozen meals, snacks, and bouillon cubes, are reportedly high in salt. Consumers often struggle to make informed decisions due to complex nutrient labeling that obscures important information.
Front-of-pack labeling, which employs simple and visible warnings, has been shown to assist consumers in identifying products high in unhealthy ingredients quickly.
The coalition is advocating for the implementation of these labeling practices to protect public health effectively and reduce the burden of diet-related diseases.
“Consumers cannot be confident about the products they buy if critical nutrition information is hidden or difficult to understand,” the partners said. “Clear front-of-pack labelling and meaningful salt reduction policies are essential tools to help Nigerians identify unhealthy products and make better dietary choices.”
“Food safety must go beyond contamination and extend to nutritional safety,” the statement added. “When foods contain dangerously high levels of salt without clear warnings, consumers are denied their right to make informed choices about their health.”
They therefore urged Nigerian authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria to enforce mandatory salt targets, implement front-of-pack warning labels, restrict the marketing of ultraprocessed foods to children, strengthen product monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and scale public education campaigns to encourage healthy dietary behaviours.
The coalition emphasised that such measures are consistent with global best practices and are crucial for addressing Nigeria’s rising burden of non-communicable diseases. They called on consumers to exercise their power by reading food labels and demanding healthier options from manufacturers.
The organisations reaffirmed their commitment to working with government agencies, public health experts, and civil society partners to ensure that the country’s food environment supports safe products and confident consumers.
“Protecting consumers means ensuring that the food sold in our markets supports health rather than undermines it,” the groups added. “Policies that promote salt reduction and transparent food labelling are cost-effective tools for safeguarding the health of millions of Nigerians.” It is time to put the health of the Nigerian consumer above the profits of the ultraprocessed food industry.
As events unfold on this day of recognition, the coalition reiterates that consumer rights are human rights. The call for action underscores that the government’s role in ensuring food safety is vital for protecting the wellbeing of all Nigerians.
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