Korede Abdullah 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Unsafe food is causing nearly 50 million illnesses and more than 53,000 deaths in Nigeria every year, the Federal Government has warned, highlighting a growing public health crisis that disproportionately affects young children and places a heavy burden on the country’s healthcare system.
Speaking at a briefing to commemorate the 2026 World Food Safety Day in Abuja on Monday, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Adekunle Salako, said foodborne diseases are responsible for the loss of an estimated 4.26 million years of healthy life annually in Nigeria.
The alarming figures come as new data from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that unsafe food causes approximately 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths globally each year, with Africa bearing the highest burden.
Salako said Nigeria remains one of the countries most affected by foodborne illnesses, with children under the age of five carrying more than 80 per cent of the disease burden.
“More worrisome is the fact that most of this burden falls heavily on children under five,” he said.
According to the minister, more than 40 million diarrhoeal illnesses linked to foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, Shigella and rotavirus are recorded annually across the country.
Beyond biological contamination, he warned that unsafe food also exposes consumers to dangerous chemical hazards, including lead contamination, while unhealthy dietary habits are contributing to a rise in non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
The government is now calling for stronger food safety measures nationwide to reduce preventable illnesses and deaths.
“The new WHO estimates are a call to action. We must intensify surveillance for heavy metals and chemical contaminants, improve food safety practices in traditional markets, strengthen hygiene and sanitation infrastructure, and ensure compliance with national standards,” Salako said.
Health experts have repeatedly warned that poor food handling, inadequate storage facilities, weak regulatory compliance and limited public awareness continue to fuel the spread of foodborne diseases across Nigeria.
Also speaking at the event, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening food safety regulations and enforcement mechanisms.
Meanwhile, food safety advocate Nanlop Ogbureke urged stakeholders across government, industry and civil society to prioritise practical, evidence-based interventions capable of guaranteeing safe and nutritious food for all Nigerians.
The warning comes amid increasing concerns over food contamination, poor sanitation and the growing health and economic costs associated with preventable foodborne diseases in Africa’s most populous nation.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
Oluwatobi Adu