Lagos, Nigeria — Di Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare don issue warning to Nigerians say dem no go dey consume too much salt after viral video show Pastor Chris Oyakhilome dey encourage people to increase salt intake. Di video don raise concerns about health misinformation as dey concluded say Africans dey intentionally discouraged from using salt to boost sodium-based medication sales.
Di ministry’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, laba Balogun, tok say on Wednesday say, though sodium wey salt dey contain important for body function, e must dey consumed in moderation. “Di Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare don observe say one video dey circulate for social media wey show respected religious leader dey discourage Nigerians from following medical advice on salt consumption,” Balogun talk.
He add say, “Although we respect di important role of faith leaders, e dey crucial to correct any misinformation wey fit risk public health.” According to di ministry, “Salt no be enemy. E get sodium wey support nerve activity, muscle movement, and fluid balance for body, but di main issue na excessive consumption, no salt itself.”
Di World Health Organisation (WHO) and di Nigerian government don recommend say di maximum wey person fit consume na 5 grams of salt per day, which be di equivalent of one teaspoonful. If you cross dis threshold, e fit increase risk of preventable diseases and even death.
“Research show say most Nigerians dey consume more than double di recommended sodium intake. Dis excessive intake dey contribute to high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease—wey dey kill thousands of people every year,” Balogun tok.
To tackle dis health issue, di ministry dey implement national sodium reduction strategy. Dis strategy include dey launch of di National Sodium Reduction Guidelines wey wan reduce sodium content across all food categories. From processed and packaged foods to food wey dem prepare for home, restaurants, and street vendors, di initiative dey require all food manufacturers, regulators, and di public to lower sodium intake without losing quality and nutrition.
Di ministry make am clear say, “Doctors no dey lie. Nigeria’s health professionals get training to offer evidence-based guidance rooted for decades of scientific research.” Di ministry emphasize say regulated sodium compounds wey dey inside some medications no be di same as dietary salt (sodium chloride) and e safe if dem prescribe am well.
Di ministry reaffirm say faith and science no dey at odds, dem fit and suppose work together for di wellbeing of di people. “We urge Nigerians to seek accurate health advice from qualified medical professionals and dey join hands with di ministry to reduce di burden of preventable diseases,” di ministry conclude.
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