ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Federal Government has issued a public health advisory urging Nigerians to limit their salt intake, following controversial comments by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome suggesting that Africans were deliberately discouraged from consuming salt in order to promote the sale of sodium-based pharmaceuticals.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare responded swiftly to a viral sermon by the Christ Embassy founder, in which he encouraged congregants to eat more salt and accused medical authorities of manipulating dietary advice for commercial gain.
Ministry Calls for Caution, Rejects Misinformation
In a statement released on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations at the health ministry, criticised the remarks and warned that they could endanger public health.
“While we deeply respect the important role of faith and religious leaders in our society, it is crucial to correct misinformation that poses a risk to public health,” Balogun said.
He stressed that although sodium is essential for vital body functions — such as nerve activity, muscle control, and fluid regulation — excessive intake significantly increases the risk of hypertension, stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease.
“The concern lies in excessive consumption, not in salt itself,” the statement read.
WHO Guidelines, Local Realities
Balogun cited World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommending no more than 5 grams of salt per day — approximately one teaspoon.
He disclosed that current data suggests Nigerians consume more than twice this amount daily, raising alarms within the health sector.
The ministry announced plans to roll out new national sodium reduction guidelines, which will address the salt content in processed foods and improve labelling standards across food categories.
Clarifying Medical Misconceptions
Responding directly to Pastor Oyakhilome’s claim that doctors and health authorities were misleading Nigerians to promote sodium-infused medications, the ministry drew a clear distinction between dietary salt and pharmaceutical-grade sodium compounds.
“The presence of regulated sodium compounds in certain medications is not equivalent to dietary salt (sodium chloride) and is safe when prescribed appropriately,” Balogun stated.
He added that Nigeria’s medical professionals operate within globally recognised standards of care and that their advice is based on “decades of scientific research and clinical evidence.”
Balancing Faith and Science
The government’s intervention highlights a growing tension between medical advice and some teachings from influential religious figures.
While reaffirming respect for religious leaders and their societal roles, the ministry emphasised the need for public health messages to remain grounded in science.
“Doctors do not lie,” Balogun concluded. “Our health professionals are trained to provide evidence-based care in the best interest of the public.”
The ministry urged Nigerians to be vigilant about health misinformation, particularly when it contradicts established medical knowledge.
Public health advocates are now calling for increased collaboration between religious institutions and healthcare authorities to prevent the spread of health-related falsehoods and encourage evidence-informed wellness practices.
