World Diabetes Day: CAPPA Advocates for Higher SSB Tax and Better Health Financing in Nigeria
The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has expressed strong support for the Diabetes Association of Nigeria’s (DAN) call for urgent government intervention. CAPPA advocates for declaring a national emergency on diabetes care and implementing targeted health financing measures, including increasing taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and other healthy food policies.
In a statement issued in celebration of World Diabetes Day recently, CAPPA highlighted the alarming statistics shared by DAN’s president, revealing that approximately 30,000 Nigerians die annually from diabetes. The association estimates that over 11.4 million Nigerians are currently living with the disease, a figure that surpasses the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) global estimate of 2.99 million adults in Nigeria living with diabetes, representing about 3% of the population.
CAPPA expressed concern over the rising costs associated with managing diabetes, noting that the average monthly treatment expense now ranges between N100,000 and N120,000. This financial burden renders proper disease management unattainable for many Nigerians, pushing impoverished families closer to economic ruin and increasing mortality risks.
“This grim reality reflects the broader crisis of Nigeria’s noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) burden and the weaknesses in our public health system,” CAPPA stated. “Nigeria’s low life expectancy, the worst globally according to the latest UN health report, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policy action.”
The organization emphasized that the surge in diabetes cases, coupled with poor health outcomes, demands decisive policy measures targeting unhealthy dietary habits, especially the consumption of SSBs and processed foods.
Akinbode Oluwafemi, CAPPA’s Executive Director, reaffirmed support for DAN’s call, advocating for a declaration of a national emergency on diabetes care and a substantial increase in the SSB tax, with proceeds directed toward strengthening Nigeria’s health sector.
He explained that unhealthy diets and sugary drinks significantly contribute to NCD risks, and the widespread marketing and easy availability of these products are reshaping dietary patterns across Nigeria.
Without urgent policy intervention, Oluwafemi warned, generations risk developing lifelong dependencies on high-sugar drinks, leading to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and premature death.
CAPPA advocates for proven interventions such as a higher SSB tax, sodium reduction targets, front-of-pack nutrition labeling, and restrictions on marketing ultra-processed foods to children. However, these policies require a robust healthcare system capable of supporting the millions already affected by diabetes and other NCDs.
He also commended the government’s efforts to allocate revenue from taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and other harmful products into health financing, emphasizing that dedicating these funds to NCD prevention and treatment is vital for Nigeria’s health resilience.
CAPPA’s ongoing campaigns include advocating for at least N130 per litre tax on SSBs and mandatory front-of-pack labeling. These measures are supported by international evidence, showing that higher taxes reduce SSB consumption, promote reformulation of products, and generate revenue for health investments.
The theme for this year’s WHO World Diabetes Day, “Diabetes across life stages,” underscores that diabetes can affect individuals at any stage of life, including during pregnancy.