CAPPA Rally Behind NAFDAC’s Sodium Regulation Initiative to Combat NCDs
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has reaffirmed its support for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)’s ongoing efforts to develop regulations aimed at safeguarding public health and
combating Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). This comes as key stakeholders rally behind policies targeted at reducing sodium content in foods.
Akinbode Oluwafemi, CAPPA’s Executive Director, expressed this support on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, during a stakeholders’ engagement focused on proposed regulations to lower sodium levels in pre-packaged foods. He congratulated NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, for the achievements under her leadership, emphasizing that CAPPA remains committed to supporting the agency’s public health mandate.
The one-day event, held in Lagos and organized by NAFDAC in partnership with the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), brought together important industry and health stakeholders.
“We are delighted to be here today, and all I can say to you, Madam DG, is congratulations,” Oluwafemi said. “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.”
In her opening remarks, Prof. Adeyeye highlighted the shared commitment between NAFDAC and stakeholders to enhance Nigeria’s food safety framework and protect public health.
“As you are aware, diet-related non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke are on the rise globally and within Nigeria,” she stated. “Excessive sodium intake has been identified as one of the leading dietary risk factors contributing to these conditions.”
Addressing the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, NHED’s Technical Advisor, Dr. Jerome Mafeni, warned that Nigeria is seeing rising incidences among younger populations, which poses a serious threat to the country’s future.
In 2025, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOH&SW) launched the National Sodium Reduction Guideline, establishing mandatory sodium limits in processed and pre-packaged foods. The goal is to cut the average daily sodium intake to below 2 grams per person (equivalent to 5 grams of salt) by 2030, with a target of reducing hypertension prevalence by 25 percent.
Global partners, including the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), the World Health Organization (WHO), and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), described the engagement as timely and vital. They urged NAFDAC to sustain its efforts in protecting public health, while commending the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for its leadership.