By JKNewsMedia
INCREASING CASES of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) linked to sugary drinks have triggered fresh demands for Nigeria to increase its Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax.
The Healthy Food Policy Youth Vanguard (HFPYV) has called on the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, to support raising the levy from N10 to N130 per litre.
The group argues that this policy shift is crucial in protecting young Nigerians from excessive sugar consumption and the associated health risks.
HFPYV, a volunteer-driven organisation advocating for food justice, describes the SSB tax as a necessary measure to curb the aggressive marketing tactics used by beverage corporations.
These companies, it says, target Nigeria’s youthful population with misleading advertisements that encourage unhealthy dietary habits for profit.
Afeez Adebayo, speaking on behalf of HFPYV after a meeting with the minister, stressed that the unchecked availability of sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods is fostering dangerous consumption patterns.
“Food corporations are saturating the market with products high in sugar and sodium, luring young Nigerians into dietary habits that fuel the country’s growing burden of NCDs,” the group stated.
HFPYV warned that Nigeria is witnessing a disturbing rise in illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers, which now account for nearly 30% of annual deaths.
The group emphasised that these trends are exacerbated by unhealthy diets, a problem worsened by the disappearance of traditional food knowledge.
“Many young people no longer know how to grow or prepare local, nutritious meals, further entrenching dependency on processed alternatives,” it added.
The group highlighted the economic toll of NCDs, citing data from the National Health Accounts.
It noted that Nigerian households battling these diseases spend an average of $398.52 annually on healthcare.
Collectively, Nigerians spend about $1.26 billion treating NCDs each year, deepening financial hardship for many families.
Nigeria’s youth-heavy demographic makes the issue even more pressing. According to Worldometer, about 70% of the country’s population is under 30, with 42% below 15 years old.
HFPYV stressed that this age group should be an asset to national development rather than a market for corporations prioritising profit over public health.
The group backed its demands with evidence from a 2024 study endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The report found that the existing N10 per litre SSB tax, set when a bottle of soft drink cost around N150, has become ineffective.
With current prices ranging from N350 to N450, the study recommended an increase to N130 per litre or at least 20% of the product’s retail price to meaningfully curb consumption.
Beyond reducing sugar intake, the proposed tax hike could generate an estimated N729 billion annually for the federal government.
HFPYV advocates that these funds be earmarked for strengthening basic healthcare services, particularly for diet-related illnesses.
Experts globally, including Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, have recommended a 50% tax rate on unhealthy foods.
A recent Bloomberg Task Force report also advised that revenue from such taxes be reinvested into public health initiatives, warning that failure to act could cost over 50 million lives worldwide in the next five decades.
HFPYV, launched in July 2024 by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), continues to champion healthy food policies.
Through grassroots mobilisation and advocacy, the group seeks to raise awareness about food justice and ensure that Nigeria prioritises the health of its citizens over corporate interests.
