Unsafe Food Kills 53,000 Nigerians Annually, Health Minister Warns

The Federal Government has raised fresh concerns over the growing public health threat posed by unsafe food, revealing that more than 53,000 Nigerians die annually from food-related illnesses while nearly 50 million cases of foodborne diseases are recorded every year.

The alarming figures were disclosed by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, during activities marking the 2026 World Food Safety Day in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme, “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere,” the minister described food safety as a major public health challenge with devastating consequences for lives, productivity and national development.

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

According to him, the health and economic consequences extend beyond mortality figures, with millions of healthy years lost due to sickness, disability and premature death.

“Together, these illnesses and deaths result in a staggering 4.26 million years of healthy life lost to illness, disability or early death,” he added.

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

Health experts say foodborne illnesses during childhood can have lifelong consequences, affecting physical growth, cognitive development and educational outcomes.

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

Diarrhoeal diseases remain the most common food-related health challenge in Nigeria, accounting for over 40 million cases annually linked to contaminated food and disease-causing pathogens.

The minister warned that such illnesses continue to place enormous pressure on healthcare facilities and remain a leading cause of malnutrition and mortality among young children.

Beyond biological contamination, Salako also highlighted growing concerns about chemical hazards, including lead exposure from contaminated grains, spices and water sources.

He noted that chemical contamination is increasingly contributing to long-term health complications and preventable deaths across the country.

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

He cited findings from a 2023 Joint External Evaluation and a 2025 State Party Annual Report, both of which indicated measurable improvements in the country’s ability to detect, report and respond to foodborne disease outbreaks.

According to him, Nigeria has surpassed the World Health Organisation’s benchmark for low- and middle-income countries in several food safety indicators.

“Nigeria is now one of the leading countries in the region in establishing functional systems for detecting, reporting and responding to foodborne disease events,” he said.

Salako further linked food safety concerns to the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, stroke and obesity, stressing that healthier food systems are critical to improving national health outcomes.

Also speaking, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasised the need for stronger food safety measures across the value chain.

She noted that improving food handling, processing and regulatory enforcement would be essential to reducing the burden of foodborne diseases and safeguarding public health.

Experts say the latest figures underscore the urgent need for greater public awareness, stronger regulation and improved food safety practices as Nigeria seeks to tackle one of its most persistent yet preventable public health challenges.