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Akinbode Oluwafemi, executive director, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), says noncommunicable diseases currently account for about 30 per cent of all deaths annually in Nigeria.
He stated that the ultra-processed food industry is contributing to the crisis, as food corporations are using sophisticated web of marketing strategies to lure Nigerians-especially children and young adults-into consuming foods that is damaging their health.
Speaking during a two-day ‘Journalism Training on Sugar -Sweetened Beverage Tax in Nigeria’ organised by CAPPA, which opened in Kano, Monday, Oluwafemi, noted that the actions of the Food Corporations are undermining public health policies, and costing the Nigerian healthcare system billions.
He disclosed that it was in recognition of the problem that the Nigerian government introduced the Sugar Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax in 2021, imposing a N10 levy per liter on all non-alcoholic, sweetened, and carbonated drinks in the country.
According to him, the goal of the pro-health policy enacted by the government was geared at discouraging the excessive consumption of SSBs, and reduce Nigerians addiction to sugary drinks, and stem the rise in SSB-fuelled noncommunicable diseases.
“It is with great urgency and a deep sense of purpose that I welcome you to this important training on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) Tax and Industry Monitoring. Nigeria is facing escalating public health crisis which is the rise of noncommunicable diseases.
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“Being fueled, in part, by dietary factors such as the excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods, especially SSBs and sodium foods, which various studies have shown that debilitating diseases that is now the reality in Nigeria, causing strain our healthcare system, an threatening the well-being of our future generations.
“There are several concerns, these include the extremely low threshold of the tax which has rendered it ineffective, the false narratives of the SSB industry, and the lack of transparency in how the revenue from the tax is expended by the government. These, among others, make this interaction with you these two days a necessity”, he explained.
Commenting on the training, Oluwafemi said that the training was designed to build the capacity of media professionals to accurately report these public health concerns, noncommunicable diseases burden in Nigeria, and pro-health policies that prioritize citizens’ wellbeing.
He added that the training was also designed to equip every one of us with the tools to identify and counter industry tactics that undermine the implementation of pro-health policies and promote the dissemination of evidence-based information to the public.
“Your role remains vital in ensuring that individuals especially at the grassroots level are well-informed and not misled by narratives promoted by vested interests in the big food industry. You have the power to shape narratives, influence public perception, and drive change.
“Through accurate, compelling. and investigative reporting, you can educate the public, hold stakeholders accountable, ensure that the issue of food-related diseases is at the forefront of public discourse, and advocate for healthier policies.
“As we embark on this journey together, I encourage you to engage fully, ask questions, and explore innovative ways to report on this crisis. The stories you tell can spark awareness, inspire action, and ultimately save lives. I look forward to a productive session and to seeing the impact of your work in the months and years ahead”, he stated.
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