Experts have warned about emerging threats to Nigeria’s public health system arising from the practice of fortifying processed foods, a nutrition strategy to eliminate chronic micronutrient deficiencies.
A coalition of leading health advocates has cautioned the Federal Government that plans to fortify ultra-processed foods may inadvertently fuel the country’s already rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), rather than curb malnutrition.
At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, themed “Drawing Attention to Public Health Dangers of Fortifying Ultra-Processed Foods,” the coalition raised critical concerns about the direction of Nigeria’s food fortification policy, urging an urgent review to ensure it does not promote unhealthy diets under the guise of improved nutrition.
Their warning comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with a dual crisis, persistent micronutrient deficiencies on one hand, and a steady rise in diet-related diseases on the other.
A Growing Health Emergency
The data paints a troubling picture. According to health experts, hypertension currently affects between 25 and 30 percent of Nigerians, while cardiovascular diseases account for approximately 10 to 11 percent of all deaths nationwide. These figures, though already alarming, are projected to rise further as dietary patterns shift increasingly towards ultra-processed foods, many of which are high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
Professor Dike Ojji of the University of Abuja warned that the implications could be far-reaching.
“We are already seeing a steady increase in hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, largely driven by excessive salt consumption and processed food intake. If this trend continues, the healthcare system may struggle to cope with the long-term burden,” he stated.
The Salt Paradox
At the heart of the coalition’s concern is what experts describe as a “nutritional contradiction” fortifying foods that are inherently unhealthy.
Dr. Jerome Mafeni, Technical Advisor at the Network for Health Equity and Development, specifically mentioned seasoning cubes, a staple in Nigerian households. These products, he explained, are already high in sodium—yet are being considered as vehicles for micronutrient fortification.
“Nigerians already consume nearly double the recommended daily salt intake. Adding vitamins or minerals to high-sodium products does not remove their health risks. It simply masks the problem.”
The World Health Organisation recommends a daily salt intake of less than 5 grams, but estimates suggest many Nigerians exceed this threshold largely due to hidden salts in processed foods.
The ‘Health Halo’ Effect
While food fortification has long been recognised as a cost-effective strategy for addressing micronutrient deficiencies such as vitamin A, iron, and iodine deficiencies, the coalition warns that its misuse could backfire.
Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), described the risk as a “health halo,” a misleading perception that fortified foods are inherently safe or beneficial.
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“When unhealthy products are fortified, they appear healthier than they actually are. This encourages higher consumption of foods that are still loaded with salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.”
This, he notes, could undermine years of public health messaging aimed at reducing the intake of ultra-processed foods.
Beyond Health: A Food System at Risk
The implications extend beyond individual health outcomes.
The coalition warns that increased reliance on industrially processed foods could gradually displace traditional diets rich in whole, locally sourced foods. This shift, they argue, threatens not only nutritional diversity but also local agricultural systems.
Smallholder farmers who form the backbone of Nigeria’s food supply could be sidelined as demand tilts further toward mass-produced, packaged alternatives.
There is also a gender dimension to the crisis.
Women, particularly in low-income households, often bear the burden of caregiving when family members develop chronic illnesses such as stroke, diabetes, and heart disease. As NCDs rise, so too does the unpaid care workload—deepening existing social and economic inequalities.
Policy at a Crossroads
With Nigeria aiming to reduce sodium intake by 30 percent by 2030, the coalition insists that current fortification strategies must align with broader public health goals, not contradict them.
They are calling for a comprehensive policy shift, including: mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on high-risk foods, stricter regulation of misleading health and nutrition claims, increased taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages and other unhealthy products, as well as greater investment in nutrient-dense, locally produced foods.
For the coalition, the message is clear: fortification must be applied strategically, not indiscriminately.
“Public health policy must reduce risk not repackage it.”
A Delicate Balance
As Nigeria navigates the complex intersection of malnutrition and rising lifestyle diseases, the debate over food fortification underscores a deeper challenge: how to nourish a population without compromising its long-term health.
The choices made now, experts warn, will determine whether fortification remains a life-saving intervention or becomes an unintended driver of disease.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.