HFPYV Urges Minister To Shield Youths From Sugary Drinks

The Healthy Food Policy Youth Vanguard (HFPYV) has called on the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, to support stakeholders’ demand for an increase in the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax from N10 to N130 per litre to safeguard public health.

HFPYV, a volunteer group advocating for food justice, described the SSB tax as a necessary, pro-health policy to protect young Nigerians from rising noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) linked to excessive sugary drink consumption.

In a statement signed by Afeez Adebayo on behalf of the group, after a meeting with the minister, warned that the sugary drinks and ultra-processed food industry is aggressively marketing unhealthy products to Nigerian youth through misleading advertising, shaping harmful dietary habits for profit.

“The Ministry of Youth Development, as Nigeria’s key institution for youth empowerment, must take action to curb the widespread exposure of young Nigerians to unhealthy food and drink choices that threaten their future,” HFPYV stated.

The group highlighted the alarming rise of NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers—linked to unhealthy diets, which contribute to nearly 30% of annual deaths in Nigeria. It also noted concerns from experts about the decline of traditional Nigerian foods, as younger generations shift towards processed diets.

HFPYV stressed that the unhealthy diet crisis is taking a toll on Nigeria’s economy, with rising hospitalisations, chronic disabilities, and financial burdens on households. It cited data showing that Nigerian households spend an average of $398.52 per year on NCD-related care, while the country spends approximately $1.26 billion annually treating these diseases.

With about 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population under 30, the group warned that corporations are exploiting the nation’s youthful demographic for profit instead of supporting national development.

To address this, HFPYV emphasised the need for stronger government action, including raising the SSB tax.

The Finance Act of 2021 introduced a N10 per litre levy on sugary drinks, but a 2024 study endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Health found this amount insufficient. Given rising soft drink prices—from N150 per bottle to N350–N450—the study recommended raising the tax to N130 per litre or setting it at no less than 20% of retail prices.

Beyond reducing excessive sugar consumption, the study estimated that a N130 per litre tax could generate approximately N729 billion in additional revenue for healthcare, particularly for diet-related diseases.

HFPYV also referenced global health experts, including Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who advocated for a minimum 50 per cent tax on unhealthy foods, warning that such measures could prevent over 50 million premature deaths worldwide in the next 50 years.

Launched on July 3, 2024, by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), HFPYV empowers young advocates to raise awareness about healthy diets and push for stronger food policies. The group champions policies to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition, mobilises communities, and promotes access to affordable, nutritious food—prioritising public health over corporate profit.