The University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), now known as Yakubu Gowon University, in partnership with the Nigeria Sodium Study Team and the Cardiovascular Research Centre, has intensified its salt reduction awareness campaign to reach wider population segments.
The campaign initially targeted students in universities across the country’s geopolitical zones and has now been scaled up to reach every Nigerian through mass media and grassroots channels, raising awareness about the dangers of excessive salt consumption.
“Nigeria has one of the highest rates of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa, largely driven by poor dietary habits,” said Prof Dike Ojji, lead investigator at the university’s Cardiovascular Research Centre and head of the salt-reduction campaign.
He said, “Salt may taste good, but too much of it is destroying our health. To save lives, we must reduce it. Our people need to understand the dangers of excessive salt consumption — without this awareness, many will remain ignorant, and changing salt-use behaviour will be difficult.”
Ojji said the campaign is not only about sharing research findings but also about guiding Nigerians on practical ways to avoid the dangers of excessive salt consumption. He advised people to taste their food before adding salt, reduce the use of seasoning cubes, and opt for healthier alternatives, such as local spices.
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