In this insightful interview, Executive Director of CAPPA, Akinbode Oluwafemi shares how the tobacco industry has tried for years to bribe, threaten, and intimidate him because of his work defending public health. He explains that companies like British American Tobacco and Philip Morris are now using new tactics — from social media influencers to false “harm reduction” claims — to target young people and weaken tobacco laws in Africa. He calls for stronger protection for advocates, tighter enforcement of the WHO FCTC Article 5.3, and a united African effort to stop industry interference once and for all.
This year’s report marks Nigeria’s fourth participation in the global civil society–led initiative that assesses how effectively governments are protecting public health policymaking from tobacco industry interference. Grounded in Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the report, based on data gathered between April 2023 and March 2025, highlights the ongoing tensions between public health priorities and corporate influence.
A year of deep crises also revealed the strength of collective resistance. This report is both a record of struggle and proof that justice is only ever won when people organise and fight together.
Understanding the behaviour and tactics of the food and beverage industry is central to public health campaigns and advocacy for food justice. The food industry—ranging from producers of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) to manufacturers of ultra-processed foods—wields enormous influence over consumers’ behaviour through a sophisticated web of marketing strategies.
This study serves as both a diagnostic resource and blueprint, illuminating the pitfalls of neoliberal reforms while outlining actionable strategies to reclaim public control over water resources. It is a timely and necessary intervention, urging policymakers, civil society actors, and international stakeholders to rethink water governance in Nigeria.
Twenty years into the Kyoto Protocol, the world has witnessed nothing but a steady and significant rise in greenhouse gas emissions. African countries continue to be the victims of carbon finance when all it needs is climate finance. This brief reminds the continent to re-examine its position in the global conversations about climate change and consider alternatives that will prioritize the safety of its people and the protection of its environment.
At a public hearing on the amendment of the National Tobacco Control Act, 2015, CAPPA submitted this memorandum, which interrogated two proposed amendment Bills – HB 1151 and HB 47 and offered recommendations for improving Nigeria’s tobacco control framework.
This memorandum, submitted to Nigeria’s Fiscal Policy Reform Committee, explains CAPPA’s and the National Coalition on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax advocacy on the SSB tax, the need for its increment and the implementation of a more sustainable legislative framework on innovative healthcare financing in Nigeria.
This policy brief examines the impacts of SSBs on human health, the importance of Nigeria’s SSB tax and the potential benefits of applying revenue generated from the tax towards financing programs and services that promote a healthy food environment and improve societal wellbeing.
This policy brief examines the impacts of SSBs on human health, the importance of Nigeria’s SSB tax and the potential benefits of applying revenue generated from the tax towards financing programs and services that promote a healthy food environment and improve societal wellbeing.
2023 saw our advocacy on environmental accountability and food justice yield tangible forms and impacts. Through our documentary spotlight on Africa’s environmental challenges, we stirred both national and global conversations, ensuring that the voices of frontline communities are heard in decision-making rooms. We also scored a major victory for public health with the gazetting of Nigeria’s “Fats and Oils Regulations 2022” and “Fats and Oils Pre-packaged Food Labeling Regulations 2022” This significant step in the fight against trans-fat consumption marks an important milestone in our campaign to safeguard public health.
This Memorandum, which argues for the independence of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to bolster its critical regulatory obligations, was submitted at the Public Hearing on Restructuring of Government Agencies held on July 22, 2024.
Unsafe water has severe implications for public health. This report examines the impacts of oil pollution on water sources in Iludun community, Lagos State, following an investigation of the situation and the engagement of residents at a water parliament session organised by CAPPA.
This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of SSB consumption patterns, their profound health implications
Building Resistance and Rights Agitations, the needed response of Ibeju Lekki residents against Dangote Refinery and its imminent infractions.
Joint Position paper from Climate Justice CSOs, to Governments of African countries attending the 28th Conference of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai.
A Case Study of Nigeria, Kenya, The Gambia, Ghana, and Uganda
Cas du Nigeria, du Kenya, de la Gambie, du Ghana et de l’Ouganda.
The Nigeria Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2023 documents and evaluates tactics utilized by the tobacco industry to interfere in public health policies and tobacco control measures in Nigeria.
CAPPA and the National SSB Tax Coalition with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) convened a one-day Regional Stakeholders Forum on SSB Tax in Kaduna, the Kaduna State capital.
This policy brief presents an analysis of the Act, highlighting observations and key concerns while proffering recommendations to inform the government’s interventions to improve higher education in Nigeria.
The People’s Tribunal was used as a platform to amplify the voices of community members, and to bring their claims of environmental and human rights infractions against
them to light.
Le Tribunal du Peuple a été utilisé comme plate-forme pour amplifier la voix des membres de la communauté et pour porter plainte contre les violations des droits de l’homme et de l’environnement.
les allumer.
Iwherekan community is in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. Most of the natives of Iwherekan are into farming and fishing. The community hosts the Utorogu Gas Plant and oil wells and flow stations which belonged to SPDC
CAPPA and the National SSB Tax Coalition with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) convened a one-day Regional Stakeholders Forum on SSB Tax in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
This report presents an objective critique of Nigeria’s 2023 General Elections, highlighting the significant highs and lows of the exercise. It concludes with recommendations for strengthening democratic institutions and political processes in Nigeria.
Our reach in the climate space was demonstrated at the CAPPA-organised National Conference on Climate Change which turned out to be the biggest convergence on climate change in Nigeria
CAPPA and the National SSB Tax Coalition with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) convened a one-day Regional Stakeholders Forum on SSB Tax in Lagos State
This report captures the changing electioneering landscape in Nigeria as the nation marches towards the 2023 general elections.
Le changement climatique peut être décrit comme « les changements à long terme des températures et des conditions météorologiques. Ces changements peuvent être naturels, comme …
This study evaluates the state of climate commitments of three African countries namely Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda
This report undertakes a concise evaluation of the progress of Africa’s climate goals against the backdrop of it commitments to climate justice.
Climate change is the reason for the noticeable extreme variations in weather and temperature. Intense heat waves, longer dry seasons, desertification, heavy and prolonged rainfalls that have resulted to flooding, worsening livelihood challenges faced by local communities.
This report reinforces the fact that Africa is not protected from the impacts of climate change despite contributing the least to global greenhouse emissions.
A Bill for An Act to establish a Regulatory Framework for the Water Resources Sector in Nigeria, provide for the equitable and sustainable development management, use and conservation of Nigeria’s surface Water and Ground Water Resources and for related matters.
This report exposes how the Tobacco Industry & its allies exploited social media, including facebook, Twitter & others , to promote its Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) activities & undermine life-saving tobacco control policies in Nigeria.
CAPPA is passionately devoted to working with African communities and building partnerships with themtowards taking collective social action for the promotion and defense of the rights of peoples.
The report is replete with industry initiatives in various spheres, especially in the agricultural sector, that seem innocuous but are snares. The noticeable presence of top government
As more human rights abuses are documented, the general feeling among Nigerians is that the victims of the Lekki mayhem and those unjustly targeted by the Nigerian state may not get justice.
The Our Water, Our Right Africa Coalition is a diverse network of civil society and labour organisations across West, Central, East, and Southern Africa committed to building people power and advancing the human right to water
A Coalizão Nossa Água, Nosso Direito África é uma rede diversificada de organizações da sociedade civil e trabalhistas na África Ocidental, Central, Oriental e Austral comprometida com a construção do poder das pessoas e o avanço do direito humano à água
La Coalition Our Water, Our Right Africa est un réseau diversifié des organisations de la société civile et des syndicats en Afrique de l’ouest, du centre, de l’est et du sud qui s’engage à renforcer le pouvoir des peuples et veiller à la promotion du droit humain à l’eau
How Big Polluters are advancing a “net zero” climate agenda to delay, deceive, and deny
How tobacco companies use intermediaries to foster their Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives and promote their image in Nigeria.
The responses of the Lagos State Government to the spread of COVID-19 is a microcosm of the panicky Nigerian response to the pandemic. Despite the barrage of public health messages encouraging citizens to take their hygiene
We work with communities and place emphasis on the organising and mobilizing capacities of citizens and relevant social groups
The Tobacco Industry exploits movies and music videos to give misleading positive impressions of tobacco use. such have been identified as a cause of smoking initiation among young persons
Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health confirmed the first coronavirus (COVID-19) case in Lagos State on the 27th of February, 2020. On the arrival from Milan, Italy, the index case reportedly traveled though Lagos
This report took a cursory look at the industry participation in policy development in the country, industry’s CSR activities, benefits to the tobacco industry,
Lagos Water Crisis: Alternative roadmap for public water sector points the way out of the water crisis in Lagos. It reviews the impact and reasons for the …
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