CAPPA Urges Government to Tackle Unhealthy Food Marketing

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged the Federal Government to make affordability, nutrition and stronger safeguards against unhealthy food environments central to Nigeria’s food security agenda.

In a statement marking World Food Day 2026, themed “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow,” CAPPA noted that Nigeria’s food production index has risen steadily. The country is the world’s leading cassava producer and a major producer of yam and sorghum, among other staples. Yet post-harvest losses, insecurity in farming areas, and gaps in logistics and supply chains continue to contribute to widespread hunger, acute food insecurity and undernutrition.

CAPPA said food security should not be measured mainly by the volume of food produced or available in markets. It urged the government to consider whether Nigerians can access food that is safe, nutritious and affordable, and produced in ways that protect health.

Citing Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data on the rising cost of healthy diets, the organisation said aggressive and deceptive marketing by the ultra-processed food industry distorts consumers’ choices and limits access to nutritious diets.

“Food security must mean more than having something to eat. It must also mean having access to food that nourishes the body, protects health and supports human development. Nigerians should not have to choose between feeding their families and providing them with nutritious meals,” the organisation said.

The group warned that increasing food availability without addressing nutritional quality could undermine public-health efforts. It said excessive consumption of sugar, sodium and unhealthy fats is associated with diet-related health risks, including obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

CAPPA added that efforts to address hunger and malnutrition must account for the wider food environment. This includes the availability and marketing of ultra-processed products high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats; the affordability of fresh and minimally processed foods; and the strength of regulations designed to protect consumers.

The organisation pointed to the Federal Government’s review of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (2016–2025) and plans to accelerate a National Food and Nutrition Bill to protect nutrition financing. However, it cautioned against relying on the ultra-processed food industry to solve the country’s nutrition challenges, arguing that the industry’s loyalty is to profits rather than public health.

CAPPA called on the Federal Government and relevant regulatory agencies to strengthen measures to make food products safer and healthier. Its recommendations include an effective sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax, clear front-of-pack labels, sodium-reduction targets, restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods to children, and sustained efforts to eliminate industrially produced trans fats.

The group also urged the House of Representatives to follow the Senate’s lead and pass the Customs, Excise Tariffs, etc. (Consolidation) Act (CETA) Amendment Bill, otherwise known as the SSB Tax Bill. CAPPA said the bill could help discourage excessive consumption of sugary beverages and mobilise domestic resources to strengthen Nigeria’s health system.

It called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant authorities to strengthen food labelling and product regulation. CAPPA said consumers should have the information needed to make informed choices, adding that a Front-of-Pack-Warning Label (FOPWL) can help provide it.

Children, the organisation said, need stronger protection from the promotion of foods and beverages high in nutrients of concern. This includes safeguards against digital advertising, influencer marketing and promotions around schools.

To improve access to nutritious food, CAPPA urged the government to invest in local food systems and support smallholder farmers, agroecological production, storage facilities, processing and distribution networks. It said these investments could reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen local livelihoods and improve access to a diverse range of foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

The organisation also said Nigeria’s food policies must address the influence of commercial interests on public-health decision-making. It called for transparent policymaking, safeguards against conflicts of interest and meaningful public participation in decisions affecting the food supply.

CAPPA said World Food Day should be an opportunity to assess whether current food policies are improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians. It added that innovation must include stronger public institutions, effective regulation, sustainable agricultural practices and food systems that prioritise nutrition, equity and accountability.