Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged the government to introduce tougher measures to regulate the marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks, warning that obesity and other non-communicable diseases are rising at an alarming rate.
In a statement released to mark World Obesity Day 2026, themed “8 billion reasons to act on obesity,” the group described obesity as one of the most pressing global health concerns. It cited projections that nearly half of the world’s population, about four billion people, may be overweight or obese by 2035.
CAPPA noted that Nigeria is already feeling the impact, blaming changing eating habits, rapid urban growth, and the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods. It said the widespread availability and promotion of products high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats are fueling cases of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart-related illnesses.
Quoting figures from the National Library of Medicine, the organisation said that as of 2020, more than 21 million Nigerians aged 15 and above were overweight, while over 12 million were obese.
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The group expressed concern about targeted advertising aimed at children through television, social media, school promotions, and outdoor campaigns, especially during festive periods.
“The aggressive promotion of ultra-processed foods to children is deliberate,” CAPPA stated, referencing its report titled Unhealthy Food Hijack of Festive Periods in Nigeria. “Food and beverage corporations are shaping taste preferences early to secure lifelong consumers, while the public bears the long-term health and economic consequences.”
To tackle the problem, CAPPA called on authorities to restrict the marketing of unhealthy foods to children and to review the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages tax upward. It recommended raising the tax to 50 per cent of the retail price in line with guidance from the World Health Organization.
The organisation also advocated for mandatory front-of-pack warning labels and stronger salt reduction regulations, stressing that decisive policies are needed to safeguard public health.
