The Nigerian government has warned people not to eat too much salt. This warning comes after a video of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome went viral. In the video, he told his church members that salt is good and they should eat more of it.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare quickly responded to the video. They advised Nigerians to follow proper medical advice when it comes to food and health. Eating too much salt can lead to serious health problems, the ministry said.

In the viral video, Pastor Oyakhilome claimed that Africans are being told to avoid salt so that they will need to buy drugs that contain sodium. He told his church members, “Salt is not your enemy.”

The health ministry disagrees with this message. They reminded people that health advice should come from experts, not from unproven sources. Too much salt can damage your health in many ways.

“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has observed a widely circulated video in which a respected religious leader discourages Nigerians from heeding medical advice on salt consumption,” the statement read. “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.”

Alaba Balogun, a government spokesperson, said salt does have an important mineral—sodium—which helps the body’s muscles and nerves. But eating too much of it can lead to problems like high blood pressure, heart issues, and kidney failure.

He also shared what health experts say: the World Health Organization suggests that adults should not eat more than one teaspoon (5 grams) of salt each day.

The ministry ended by advising Nigerians to listen to doctors and health experts. They also warned people not to trust advice that does not have strong scientific support.