LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)– The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), has called for sweeping government action to stem Nigeria’s rising obesity rates, urging tougher controls on junk food marketing, a higher sugar-sweetened beverages tax and clearer front-of-pack warning labels to protect public health.
In commemoration of World Obesity Day 2026, the advocacy group is pushing for stricter regulation of unhealthy food marketing, a significant increase in sugar taxes, and mandatory front-of-pack warning labels to slow rising rates of obesity and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Marking this year’s theme, “8 billion reasons to act on obesity,” CAPPA described obesity as one of the world’s most pressing public health threats. The organization cited global projections showing that nearly 4 billion people, about half of the world’s population could be living with overweight or obesity by 2035.
Nigeria, it stressed, is already experiencing the impact. According to data published by the National Library of Medicine, more than 21 million Nigerians aged 15 and above were overweight in 2020, while over 12 million were classified as obese. Public health experts link the trend to rapid urbanization, changing dietary habits, and the growing dominance of ultra-processed foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats.
CAPPA warned that the widespread availability of such products, combined with aggressive advertising, is accelerating cases of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease across the country.
Particularly concerning, the group noted, is targeted marketing aimed at children and adolescents through television, digital media, school promotions and outdoor advertising, especially during festive seasons.
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“The aggressive promotion of ultra-processed foods to children is deliberate. Food and beverage corporations are shaping taste preferences early to secure lifelong consumers, while the public bears the long-term health and economic consequences,” CAPPA said in a statement, referencing its report titled “Unhealthy Food Hijack of Festive Periods in Nigeria.”
In response, CAPPA is calling on federal and state governments to restrict the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children across all platforms. The organization also urged lawmakers to review Nigeria’s Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) tax, arguing that the current rate is too low to reduce consumption meaningfully.
CAPPA proposed that the tax be raised to 50 percent of the retail price, aligning with recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO). Through its statement, the group explained that stronger fiscal measures could discourage excessive sugar intake while generating revenue to support healthcare services.
Beyond taxation, the group is advocating for mandatory Front-of-Pack Labelling that clearly warns consumers when products are high in sugar, salt or unhealthy fats. Such labels, CAPPA argued, would help shoppers make informed decisions quickly, counter misleading marketing tactics and encourage manufacturers to reformulate products.
Furthermore, the organization called for enforceable national salt reduction targets for processed and packaged foods, citing the strong link between excessive sodium intake, hypertension and increased risk of stroke and heart disease.
“Protecting present and future generations from diet-related diseases requires effective policies, firm regulation and political will that puts people before profit,” the CAPPA concluded.
Ultimately, with obesity rates climbing and millions already affected, public health advocates say decisive regulation will determine whether Nigeria can reverse the trend or confront a future weighed down by preventable disease.
