The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Federal Government to increase the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) tax from N10 to at least N130 per litre.
Speaking at a media roundtable in Abuja, CAPPA Executive Director Akinbode Oluwafemi said Nigeria is facing a public health crisis due to excessive sugary drink consumption.
“These SSBs… are killing us slowly, turning our streets into graveyards and our hospitals into crowded waiting rooms,” he said.
He argued that the current tax is too weak to deter consumption and fails to impact public health.
“Evidence from global health research is unequivocal… Nigeria’s N10/litre levy is insufficient,” he added.
Economist Austin Iraoya supported the call, saying the real cost of sugary drinks is seen in rising illnesses.
“This tax is neither discouraging consumption nor generating enough revenue,” Iraoya said, citing countries like South Africa and the UK that have seen health gains from higher taxes.