The Federal Government has revealed that Nigeria records nearly 50 million cases of foodborne illnesses annually, with unsafe food causing over 53,000 deaths each year. This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Adekunle Salako, during a briefing to mark the 2026 World Food Safety Day in Abuja.
Alarming Statistics
Dr Salako noted that these illnesses and deaths result in a staggering 4.26 million years of healthy life lost to illness, disability, or early death. He expressed concern over new data from the World Health Organization (WHO) showing that unsafe food now causes an estimated 866 million cases of foodborne illnesses and 1.5 million deaths globally.
Children Most Affected
The minister highlighted that children under five account for more than 80% of all foodborne disease burden in Nigeria. He stated, "More worrisome is the fact that most of this burden falls heavily on children under five. The true cost of unsafe food is not only measured in sickness and death, but also in the lost cognitive, physical, and developmental potential of our children."
Diarrhoeal Pathogens and Chemical Hazards
According to Dr Salako, the majority of the burden is driven by diarrhoeal pathogens, with over 40 million diarrhoeal illnesses in Nigeria linked to foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, Shigella, and rotavirus. These infections remain a major cause of hospitalisation, malnutrition, and mortality among young citizens. Chemical hazards, particularly lead exposure from contaminated grains, spices, and water sources, also contribute significantly to healthy life years lost.
Non-Communicable Diseases
The minister emphasized that food safety is not only about preventing infections but also about reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases. Nigeria faces a rising epidemic of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity driven by unhealthy diets high in sodium, sugar, and trans-fatty acids. He called for urgent strengthening of food safety systems across the entire value chain.
Call to Action
Dr Salako urged intensified surveillance for heavy metals and chemical contaminants, improved food safety practices in traditional and informal markets, strengthened hygiene and sanitation infrastructure, and enhanced compliance with national standards by food business operators. He also stressed the need to build laboratory capacity, strengthen risk communication, and improve coordination across sectors.
NAFDAC's Commitment
The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed the agency's commitment to reducing foodborne diseases through science-based regulation, effective surveillance, strengthened food control systems, and robust stakeholder engagement. She stated that NAFDAC will continue to ensure that foods manufactured, imported, exported, distributed, advertised, sold, and consumed in Nigeria meet acceptable safety and quality standards.
Support from Resolve to Save Lives
The Country Director of Resolve to Save Lives, Nigeria, Mrs Nanlop Ogbureke, represented by Principal Advisor Mrs Okeoma Obasi, expressed the organisation's commitment to supporting the government in strengthening healthier food environments through evidence-based policies. Initiatives include sodium reduction, trans-fat elimination, healthy public food procurement policies, and consumer awareness programmes. She commended the WHO for championing World Food Safety Day and the theme "From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere," which challenges stakeholders to focus on practical, sustainable solutions.
