At a webinar organized by CAPPA on November 21, 2022, fifty participants and representatives of civil society organizations, media institutions, community-based organizations, professional bodies, and health groups gathered to discuss the burden of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria and other public health challenges. The webinar is the first in a series of quarterly webinars conceptualized by CAPPA as part of its advocacy for the enforcement of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) in Nigeria. The rise in non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, kidney failure, and cardiovascular diseases among children and adults is generating serious concerns in Nigeria. Medical experts in the country have observed that the increasing consumption of SSB has led to a growth in obesity and overweight conditions among persons in Nigeria. Meanwhile, overweight and obesity are major risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).[spacer height=”20px”]
In his opening remarks, Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, CAPPA’s Executive Director noted that according to research studies, 39% of all deaths are related to NCDs which are often triggered by unhealthy dieting such as excessive consumption of sugar, and sedentary lifestyles that limit physical activities. ‘‘Nigeria’s multi-sectoral plan 2019-2025 for the prevention and control of NCDs also flags high sugar intake and unhealthy dietary patterns as causative factors of NCDs’’, he stated[spacer height=”20px”]
A presentation delivered by Dr. Francis Fagbule, a guest speaker at the meeting, and public health consultant at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, bemoaned the astronomical rise in Nigeria’s non-communicable disease burden which he stated was about 150%. He espoused the importance of adopting an evidence-based approach in sensitizing members of the public on the dangers of consuming sugar-sweetened beverages. He also urged health-focused organizations like CAPPA to never relent in advocating for pro-health legislation in Nigeria.[spacer height=”20px”]
While expressing satisfaction with the appreciable number of participants at the webinar, the next speaker, Joy Amafah, Nigeria Coordinator for the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), noted that the turnout demonstrates the commitment of various sectors to finding a long-term solution to Nigeria’s NCDs problem. According to her, to boost the fight against NCDs, stakeholders must engage in extensive monitoring of SSB trends, work with data-driven information and a proper legal framework to prevent the SSB Industry from dictating the agenda for policymaking in public health.[spacer height=”20px”]
In 2021, Nigeria introduced a N10 per litre excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages produced and distributed in the country. The tax regime which only came into force in June 2022 has come under huge attacks from producers of carbonated drinks and their allies. In a bid to reverse the legislation, the industry has also threatened to shut down businesses at different times, and continued to engage in misinformation to cultivate public opposition to the tax. However, the N10 per litre tax is still a far cry from the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum of a 20% increase per litre tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.[spacer height=”20px”]
According to Adeniyi Oginni, the Executive Secretary of the Osun State Health Insurance Offerings, and Executive Director, Christian Initiative for Nation Building (CIBN), it is important to raise the tax on SSB in order to achieve the desired goals of discouraging unhealthy sugar consumption in Nigeria, and generating funds from alternative sources to allocate for interventions in the health sector.[spacer height=”20px”]
The event concluded with robust exchanges, and an agreement by participants to strengthen the campaign for SSB-tax by launching a coalition. The coalition will continue to advocate for a sustainable sugar-sweetened beverage tax in Nigeria, and engage in strategic communication with relevant stakeholders to push for policy actions that will improve the overall health of citizens.[spacer height=”20px”]
