The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has commended the Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Ipalibo Banigo, for sponsoring the bill seeking to reform Nigeria’s tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, CAPPA described the passage of the bill by the Senate as a “bold and timely” step aimed at addressing rising public health challenges linked to excessive sugar consumption.
The proposed legislation seeks to replace the current flat ₦10-per-litre excise duty on sugar-sweetened beverages with a percentage-based tax tied to retail price. It also provides for the earmarking of a portion of the revenue generated to support health promotion and disease prevention initiatives across the country.
CAPPA said the reform represents a shift toward evidence-based fiscal policy that prioritises public health outcomes while strengthening government revenue for health sector interventions.
The group specifically praised Senator Banigo for her leadership in advancing health-related legislation, noting her previous role in the passage of the National Health Act Amendment Bill in April 2026, which increased funding allocation to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
According to CAPPA, Nigeria’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases makes the bill urgent and necessary. It noted that conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity are on the rise and now account for a significant share of deaths in the country.
The organisation cited public health concerns indicating that nearly one in three deaths in Nigeria is linked to non-communicable diseases, while millions of Nigerians are currently living with diabetes.
It argued that excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages remains a major driver of these health conditions, especially among young people, due to aggressive marketing and widespread availability.
CAPPA also criticised the current flat-rate sugar tax, describing it as too weak to influence consumer behaviour or significantly reduce sugar intake. It said a percentage-based system, as proposed in the bill, aligns with global best practices recommended by the World Health Organization.
The organisation added that earmarking revenue from the tax for health programmes would help strengthen Nigeria’s underfunded health system and improve preventive care services.
While applauding the Senate’s action, CAPPA urged the House of Representatives to speed up its consideration of the bill to ensure its swift passage into law.
It also called for transparency and accountability in the management of any earmarked funds to ensure they are properly deployed for public health interventions.
CAPPA said Nigeria can no longer delay reforms that address preventable health risks, stressing that stronger regulation of sugar-sweetened beverages is essential to reducing disease burden and saving lives.
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