Children Most at Risk as Foodborne Diseases Kill Over 53,000 Nigerians Annually

Nigeria records more than 53,000 deaths each year as a result of unsafe food consumption, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, has revealed.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday to mark the 2026 World Food Safety Day, Salako described foodborne diseases as a major public health challenge, warning that nearly 50 million Nigerians fall ill annually due to contaminated food.

This year’s World Food Safety Day is being observed under the theme: “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere.”

According to the minister, the impact of unsafe food extends far beyond illness and death, affecting the nation’s social and economic development, particularly among children.

“Nigeria records nearly 50 million foodborne illnesses every year, and unsafe food causes more than 53,000 deaths annually in our country,” Salako said.

He explained that the combined effect of these illnesses and deaths translates into an estimated 4.26 million years of healthy life lost through disease, disability and premature death.

The minister expressed particular concern about the disproportionate impact on children under the age of five, noting that they account for more than 80 per cent of the country’s foodborne disease burden.

“The true cost of unsafe food in Nigeria is not only measured in sickness and death but also in the lost cognitive, physical and developmental potential of our children,” he said.

Salako identified diarrhoeal diseases as the leading foodborne health problem in Nigeria, with more than 40 million cases linked to foodborne pathogens each year.

“These infections remain a major cause of hospitalisation, malnutrition and death among our youngest citizens,” he added.

He also warned about the growing threat posed by chemical contaminants, particularly lead exposure, which he said has contributed to significant health losses through contaminated grains, spices and water sources.

Despite the challenges, the minister said Nigeria has made notable progress in strengthening its food safety system.

He cited findings from a 2023 Joint External Evaluation, which showed measurable improvements across key food safety indicators, as well as a 2025 State Party Annual Report that indicated Nigeria had surpassed the World Health Organisation’s benchmark for low- and middle-income countries.

According to him, the country is increasingly recognised as one of the leading nations in the region for establishing systems capable of detecting, reporting and responding to foodborne disease outbreaks.

Salako also linked poor food safety practices to the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, stroke, diabetes and obesity, stressing the need for greater vigilance across the food production and distribution chain.

Also speaking at the event, Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), underscored the importance of maintaining effective food safety systems to reduce the burden of foodborne illnesses and protect public health.

The officials called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, food producers, vendors and consumers to ensure safer food practices and reduce preventable deaths across the country.