CAPPA Urges FG to Raise Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) Tax to ₦130 Per Litre to Curb Rising Health Crisis

CAPPA calls on FG to raise SSB tax to ₦130 per litre to save lives and curb preventable diseases.

 The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has issued a strong appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria, urging an increase in the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) Tax from the current ₦10 per liter to at least ₦130 per liter. This bold recommendation is aimed at addressing the alarming surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and protecting public health.
Speaking at a recent media roundtable on the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax, Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA, made it clear that the overconsumption of sugary drinks in Nigeria is creating a public health emergency. He described SSBs, commonly known as soft drinks and sugary beverages, as "silent killers" that are fueling an epidemic of preventable illnesses, including diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and obesity.

“We are facing a ticking time bomb. These sugar-sweetened beverages are turning our hospitals into overcrowded clinics and our streets into graveyards,” Oluwafemi declared.

The Real Cost of SSB Consumption in Nigeria
Recent data underscores the gravity of the situation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs now account for one in three deaths in Nigeria. Even more alarming, a national investigative report revealed that Nigerians spend approximately ₦1.92 trillion ($1.26 billion) annually treating these preventable conditions.
Oluwafemi stressed that while these diseases were once considered illnesses of the rich, they now affect every demographic, crippling breadwinners, orphaning children, and draining household savings.
One of the challenges in gaining public support for the tax, Oluwafemi noted, is the intentional misinformation being spread by industry actors. He clarified that what Nigeria currently implements is the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax (SSB Tax), not a generic “sugar tax.”

“Calling it a sugar tax is a deliberate strategy by the industry to create confusion. This tax targets sugary drinks, not sugar in general, because these beverages are the primary culprits of excess sugar consumption in Nigeria.”

CAPPA also raised concerns about Nigeria becoming a dumping ground for foreign sugary beverages, many of which are unregulated and improperly labeled. At the recent 2025 Food and Beverage West Africa exhibition in Lagos, CAPPA observed alarming quantities of foreign energy and sugary drinks boldly displayed, many without proper health or content labels.

“Nigeria leads the African continent in soft drink consumption, reaching a shocking 53 billion litres in 2024 alone,” Oluwafemi said. “We must act now before this crisis spirals further out of control.”

To reverse the tide of this crisis, CAPPA is urging the Federal Government to implement the following policy measures:
1. Increase the SSB Tax to ₦130 Per Litre

• Raise the tax from the current ₦10 per litre to at least ₦130 per litre. This will help:
• Discourage excessive consumption of sugary beverages.
• Encourage manufacturers to reformulate their products with less sugar.
• Align Nigeria with WHO’s recommendation of increasing sugary drink prices by at least 20%–50% to reduce consumption.

2. Use SSB Tax Revenue to Improve Public Health

• CAPPA recommends that the revenue generated from the SSB tax be earmarked for:
• Non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention.
• Nutrition education campaigns.
• Basic health services in under-resourced communities.
• School feeding programs to promote healthy childhood development.

3. Implement Transparent Food Labelling
Mandate front-of-pack labeling on all food and beverage products. Nigerians deserve to know what they’re consuming, especially when it comes to sugar, salt, and trans fat content.

4. Ensure Transparency and Accountability
Government agencies, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Ministries of Finance and Health, must publicly report yearly on:

• Tax revenue generated from SSBs.
• How the funds are used.
• Impact of these funds on public health outcomes.

5. Shield Policies from Industry Interference
Strong legislation is needed to create a firewall against undue influence from beverage corporations. Health policies must prioritize public well-being over profits.

6. Support Food Security and Local Agriculture
Invest in sustainable, local food production to reduce dependence on ultra-processed and imported sugary snacks and drinks. This will also enhance food sovereignty and rural livelihoods.
Nationwide Disruption of SIM Services: What Nigerians Need to Know About the Ongoing Downtime
At the media roundtable, CAPPA presented a revealing report titled "Junk On Our Plates," which exposes the false narratives and manipulative tactics of the food and beverage industry. The report highlights:

• Aggressive advertising campaigns that exploit cultural and lifestyle trends.
• Strategic pricing to undercut healthy alternatives.
• Attempts to influence public policy through sponsorships and economic threats.

These tactics not only mislead consumers but also undermine efforts to promote healthy dietary habits, especially among young people and vulnerable communities.
The data on NCDs in Nigeria is sobering. According to public health experts:
Over 30% of deaths annually are now attributed to NCDs. These diseases are no longer exclusive to the elderly or affluent; they are impacting children, teenagers, and working-class families. Urgent intervention is required to reverse these trends and safeguard the future of Nigeria’s workforce.
Prof. Olukunmi Lanre Olaitan – University of Ilorin In his paper titled “Reinforcing Healthy Diets in Nigeria,” Prof. Olaitan stressed the critical role of the media in raising public awareness. He called on journalists and broadcasters to:

• Educate Nigerians on the health risks of SSBs.
• Challenge misleading industry claims.
• Promote a culture of healthy eating and informed consumption.

“The media has the power to save lives by speaking the truth about what’s killing us,” he said.

Joy Amafah-Isaac, In-Country Coordinator for Food and Nutrition Programs at Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), emphasized the need for a united front against corporate impunity. She warned that:

Some beverage companies are using economic arguments and sponsorships to weaken enforcement of public health policies. Vulnerable populations are being exploited through deceptive marketing and poor regulation. The government must resist pressure from corporate lobbyists and prioritize health-driven regulation.

Nigeria is at a critical crossroads. The choices made now will determine the health of future generations. As NCDs continue to steal lives and livelihoods, the time to act is now.
CAPPA’s call for an SSB tax increase to ₦130 per litre is not just a fiscal policy but a life-saving intervention. It’s a wake-up call to policymakers, stakeholders, the media, and the general public to rise above corporate influence and put people before profits.

By PrimeLineInfo