CAPPA lauds Senate approval of SSB tax bill, urges Reps to follow suit

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa has commended the Senate for passing a bill seeking to reform Nigeria’s tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, describing the move as a major step toward addressing the country’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases.

The public health advocacy organisation also called on the House of Representatives to expedite consideration of the legislation and ensure its transmission for presidential assent.

The bill proposes replacing the current N10-per-litre excise duty on sugar-sweetened beverages with a percentage-based levy tied to retail prices and earmarking part of the revenue for health promotion and disease prevention initiatives.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, described the Senate’s approval of the bill as a “commendable and courageous move.”

“By passing this bill, the Senate has demonstrated responsiveness to the growing public health crisis facing the country. We now urge the National Assembly to expedite the remaining legislative processes to ensure that the reviewed bill becomes law without delay,” he said.

Oluwafemi also praised the sponsor of the bill, Senator Ipalibo Banigo, for championing policies aimed at improving public health outcomes.

He noted that Banigo had earlier sponsored the National Health Act Amendment Bill, which was passed in April 2026 and increased funding for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund from one per cent to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

The ED of CAPPA further said the proposed reforms would strengthen government efforts to tackle non-communicable diseases, which it described as a growing public health challenge in Nigeria.

He noted that nearly one in three deaths in the country is linked to non-communicable diseases, while more than 11 million Nigerians are living with diabetes.

He attributed the rising burden of conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and dental diseases partly to the excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

Oluwafemi argued that the current N10-per-litre tax introduced under the Finance Act has been too low to significantly reduce consumption or improve health outcomes.

He maintained that adopting a price-based tax system would align Nigeria with global best practices and recommendations by the World Health Organisation.

“Fixed-rate taxes like Nigeria’s current system are easily absorbed by manufacturers and rendered ineffective by inflation. A percentage-based levy ensures that the tax remains impactful over time, discourages excessive sugar intake, and better protects public health,” the CAPPA boss stated.

Advertisement

Oluwafemi also welcomed the provision earmarking part of the tax revenue for health promotion and disease prevention, saying it would provide additional resources for preventive healthcare and improve access to essential health services.

While applauding the Senate’s action, CAPPA’s ED stressed the need for transparency and accountability in managing the earmarked funds to ensure they are used effectively.

“Nigeria cannot afford to delay. We are in the midst of a preventable public health crisis driven by unhealthy diets and weak regulatory frameworks. Strengthening the SSB tax is not just a fiscal measure, it is a life-saving intervention,” Oluwafemi said.

The corporate accountability advocate added that a stronger sugar-sweetened beverage tax regime, combined with dedicated funding for health programmes, would help reduce the country’s disease burden and improve long-term health outcomes.

“Lawmakers have taken an important step. Now they must finish the job,” Oluwafemi added.