On World Obesity Day, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) urged the Nigerian government to toughen policies on marketing unhealthy foods and beverages linked to obesity and other noncommunicable diseases.
In a statement marking the 2026 theme, “8 billion reasons to act on obesity,” CAPPA warned that aggressive promotion of ultra-processed foods is driving rising rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease in Nigeria.
The group cited data showing more than 12 million Nigerians aged 15 and above are classified as obese.
CAPPA singled out advertising targeting children through television, digital media, in-school promotions, and festive campaigns.
“Food and beverage corporations are shaping taste preferences early to secure lifelong consumers, while the public bears the long-term health and economic consequences,” the group said.
The organisation called on government to restrict marketing of unhealthy products to children, raise the sugar-sweetened beverage tax to 50 percent of retail price, and adopt mandatory front-of-pack labelling that warns consumers of high sugar, salt, or fat content.
CAPPA also recommended mandatory salt reduction in processed and pre-packaged foods to curb obesity and related health risks.
“Protecting present and future generations from diet-related diseases requires effective policies, firm regulation and political will that puts people before profit,” CAPPA concluded, urging lawmakers and regulators to act decisively.
CAPPA said urgent intervention is needed as Nigeria confronts the global obesity trend, which could affect nearly half the world’s population by 2035.
