Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, has expressed support for a proposed increase in Nigeria's tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, SSBs, as a measure to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, NCDs. According to Robert Egbe, a healthy food policy advocate with CAPPA, the country can no longer afford to focus solely on treating chronic diseases after they emerge, when prevention could significantly reduce both human and economic costs associated with these diseases.
The economic burden of NCDs in Nigeria is substantial, with Nigerians spending approximately one-point-nine trillion naira annually on treating diabetes and other NCDs. Furthermore, health-related expenses push more than one million Nigerians into poverty every year. Egbe argues that the current 10-naira-per-litre excise duty on sugar-sweetened beverages, introduced through the 2021 Finance Act, has been too low to effectively discourage consumption or encourage manufacturers to reformulate their products.
The National Assembly has proposed replacing the fixed levy with a value-based, ad valorem tax linked to the retail price of sugary drinks. The Senate passed the amendment on June 4, 2026, and the bill is awaiting concurrence by the House of Representatives before it can be sent for presidential assent. This proposed change aims to make the tax more effective in reducing the consumption of SSBs.
A stronger SSB tax could have implications for both consumers and manufacturers. However, Egbe emphasizes that these must be considered alongside the existing economic burden of preventable diseases, including medical expenses, lost productivity, and reduced household income. Unhealthy diets and heavily processed foods are significant risk factors for several NCDs, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers.
In addition to advocating for a stronger SSB tax, CAPPA is also pushing for complementary measures to improve Nigeria's food environment. These include front-of-pack nutrition labelling, mandatory sodium reduction, and restrictions on unhealthy food marketing. According to Egbe, such measures can help reduce sugary-drink consumption, support disease prevention, and strengthen Nigeria's response to the growing NCD burden.
If properly implemented, a stronger SSB tax could be partly channelled into public-health interventions. This approach could help mitigate the impact of the tax on vulnerable populations while promoting public health. Egbe maintains that a multi-faceted strategy is necessary to address the complex issues surrounding NCDs and to create a healthier food environment in Nigeria.
The implementation of a stronger SSB tax and complementary measures could have a significant impact on Nigeria's public health landscape. By reducing the consumption of sugary drinks and promoting healthier choices, the country can take a crucial step towards addressing the growing burden of NCDs.
Key points
- CAPPA supports a proposed increase in Nigeria's tax on sugar-sweetened beverages to tackle rising non-communicable diseases.
- The current 10-naira-per-litre excise duty on SSBs has been deemed too low to significantly discourage consumption.
- Complementary measures, including front-of-pack nutrition labelling and restrictions on unhealthy food marketing, are also being advocated by CAPPA.
