CAPPA Urges Nigerian Government to Raise Sugary Drink Tax from ₦10 to ₦130 per Litre to Address Public Health Crisis

The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Nigerian government to significantly increase the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) tax from ₦10 to ₦130 per litre, citing the urgent need to combat the country’s growing public health crisis linked to excessive sugar consumption.

Speaking at a journalism training workshop on SSB taxation and industry interference in Enugu, CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, emphasized that the current tax regime is grossly insufficient to discourage unhealthy consumption patterns or generate meaningful revenue for health-related interventions.

“The current ₦10 per litre tax, introduced in 2021, translates to just ₦3 per standard 33cl bottle an amount too small to influence consumer behavior. Increasing the tax to ₦130 per litre is not just a fiscal policy, it is a moral imperative,” Oluwafemi stated.

According to Oluwafemi, the proposed tax hike aligns with global best practices and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations, which advocate for substantial taxation on sugary beverages, alcohol, and tobacco to curb the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

WHO studies show that taxes which raise sugary drink prices by at least 20% can significantly reduce consumption rates. In Nigeria, NCDs many linked to high sugar intake are responsible for nearly 30% of all annual deaths.

Citing international precedents, Oluwafemi referenced South Africa’s Health Promotion Levy, introduced in 2018, which resulted in a 29% reduction in sugary drink consumption among low-income groups within one year.

He also warned of potential resistance from the beverage industry, which he accused of using misinformation and lobbying to derail public health initiatives.

“The sugary drink industry has a track record of interfering with public health policies, both locally and globally. However, public health is a fundamental right and must not be compromised for corporate profits,” he said.

Oluwafemi further urged journalists to play a critical role in shaping public discourse around the SSB tax by educating the public, holding policymakers accountable, and investigating industry interference.

“You are the frontline defenders of public health information. Your work can expose the true cost of sugary drink overconsumption and push for policies that prioritize the health of over 200 million Nigerians,” he added.

“This is a matter of life and death. We must act decisively to prevent a looming epidemic from overwhelming our health system,” Oluwafemi affirmed.