By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
HEIGHTENED CONCERN over Nigeria’s rising diabetes burden shaped a strong appeal from Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) on Friday as the organisation supported the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) in urging the Federal Government to declare a national emergency on diabetes care and raise the sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) tax in line with life-saving healthy-food policies.
Pressure also intensified after CAPPA referenced a media report quoting the association’s president as saying that an estimated 30,000 Nigerians die each year from diabetes, while as many as 11.4 million people are living with the disease.
CAPPA noted that the figure exceeded the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) estimate, which places Nigeria’s prevalence at roughly 3.0 per cent, representing about 2.99 million adults with diabetes.
The concerned NGO described the disclosure as alarming and raised concern that the rising prevalence coincides with a surge in the financial burden faced by patients.
Citing the same media report, the organisation stated that the average monthly cost of managing diabetes now ranges between N100,000 and N120,000.
It said the cost level had made consistent treatment unattainable for many citizens and had placed thousands at risk of preventable complications and death in a weakening economy.
Adding that the latest United Nations (UN) global health report lists the country’s life expectancy as the lowest worldwide, CAPPA said the combination of increasing diabetes cases and stagnant life expectancy emphasises the urgent need for strong, preventive measures targeting unhealthy diets and excessive sugar consumption.
Akinbode Oluwafemi, CAPPA’s Executive Director, said the organisation fully supports DAN’s call for the FG to declare a state of emergency on diabetes care and significantly increase the tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
According to him, revenue from the tax should be channelled toward strengthening the health sector as part of a broader strategy to tackle noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Oluwafemi explained that the organisation based its position on available evidence linking unhealthy diets and sugary drinks to increased NCD risk.
He said aggressive marketing by beverage companies and the growing availability of high-sugar and highly processed foods continue to influence consumer behaviour nationwide.
He warned that without decisive intervention, Nigeria risks future generations becoming dependent on high-sugar products, with long-term consequences that include obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and premature mortality.
The statement stressed that an effective SSB tax, sodium reduction targets, front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) and restrictions on the marketing of ultra-processed foods to children are proven tools for reducing NCD prevalence.
CAPPA added that even these strong preventive measures would be insufficient without a capable health system that can support the millions already managing diabetes and related conditions.
Oluwafemi said the FG’s ongoing effort to allocate revenues from taxes on tobacco, alcohol and other harmful products to health financing represents a critical step.
He added dedicated funding for NCD prevention and management would provide the predictable resources urgently required as treatment costs continue to drive households deeper into poverty.
CAPPA also pointed to its active campaigns for an SSB tax of at least N130 per litre and for mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labels stating that its international evidence supports these proposals, plus the fact that higher taxes reduce sugary drink consumption, encourage product reformulation and generate revenue for health investments.
It added that front-of-pack labels enable consumers to understand nutritional content at a glance, thereby supporting healthier choices.
CAPPA stated that combining these measures would strengthen Nigeria’s food environment and protect citizens from the influence of large food and beverage companies.
The organisation further linked its advocacy to this year’s World Health Organisation (WHO) World Diabetes Day theme, “Diabetes across life stages,” which highlights the reality that diabetes can occur at any point in life, including during pregnancy.
It said the theme reinforces the urgency of safeguarding the health system, ensuring early intervention and strengthening government policies that address dietary risks across all demographics.
