ENUGU, Nigeria — Health experts are raising serious concerns about the effects of sugary soft drinks on the health of Nigerians, especially young people. Their message is simple: soft drinks may taste sweet, but they are also making people sick — and it’s time the government did something about it.
At a recent journalism training in Enugu, Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), called on the Nigerian government to increase the tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) from the current ₦10 per litre to ₦130 per litre.
“This is not just about money. It’s about saving lives,” Oluwafemi said. “The current ₦10 tax is too small to make any real difference.”
Why the Current Tax Isn’t Working
In 2021, the Nigerian government introduced a ₦10 per litre tax on soft drinks, hoping it would reduce consumption and bring in money to support health programs. But experts say the impact has been almost invisible.
“₦10 per litre only adds about ₦3 to each 33cl bottle — that’s barely noticeable to buyers,” Oluwafemi explained.
This means people are still drinking too many sugary drinks, which leads to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. These diseases are now responsible for around 30% of all deaths in Nigeria every year.
What Experts Are Proposing
Oluwafemi and other health advocates believe raising the tax to ₦130 per litre would help reduce sugary drink consumption, raise more money for public health, and encourage healthier habits — especially among young people.
The World Health Organization (WHO) agrees. They recommend that sugary drinks be taxed in a way that increases their prices by at least 20%. This kind of tax, they say, can make people think twice before buying unhealthy drinks.
“We’ve seen success in countries like South Africa, where sugary drink consumption dropped by 29% among low-income groups after a similar tax was introduced in 2018,” Oluwafemi noted.
A Fight Against Big Beverage Companies
Oluwafemi also warned that soft drink companies might try to block the new tax by spreading false information and pressuring the government.
“We’ve seen how these companies fight back against any policy that affects their profits,” he said. “But public health should always come first.”
He encouraged journalists to help spread the truth and inform the public about the dangers of drinking too many sugary drinks.
“Journalists have the power to hold leaders accountable and expose the tricks used by big companies to delay or weaken life-saving policies,” he said.
Why This Matters to You
If you’re 17 years old, you probably drink soft drinks often — maybe with meals, at parties, or during school breaks. But drinking too much sugar can cause serious health problems in the future, even if you feel fine now.
The experts aren’t saying you can’t enjoy a soda once in a while — they’re saying it should be a treat, not a daily habit. A higher tax could help make soft drinks less affordable, pushing people toward healthier choices like water, smoothies, or unsweetened drinks.
“We must stop this health crisis before it gets out of control,” Oluwafemi warned. “The health of over 200 million Nigerians must come before the profits of a few beverage companies.”
Quick Facts:
- What are SSBs? Sugar-Sweetened Beverages — like soda, energy drinks, flavored juices, and sweet teas.
- What’s the current tax? ₦10 per litre, introduced in 2021.
- What’s being proposed? Increase the tax to ₦130 per litre to reduce sugar intake and fund health programs.
- Why the concern? Sugary drinks contribute to rising cases of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity — especially among young people.
- What can you do? Make healthier drink choices and stay informed about policies that affect your health.
This is not just about drinks. It’s about your health, your future, and your right to live a long, strong life.
