CAPPA Urges Nigeria to Prioritize Nutrition, Affordability in Food Security Drive

By Health and Science Africa

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged the Federal Government to place nutrition, food affordability and stronger regulation of unhealthy food products at the centre of Nigeria’s food security agenda.

The organisation warned that increased food production alone would not address hunger and malnutrition unless Nigerians could afford safe, nutritious and healthy diets.

CAPPA  noted that although Nigeria had recorded steady growth in food production and emerged as the leading producer of cassava, as well as a major producer of yam and sorghum, millions of Nigerians continued to face acute food insecurity and undernutrition.

It attributed the persistent food crisis partly to post-harvest losses, insecurity in farming communities, and weaknesses in logistics and supply chains, which limit access to available food.

CAPPA said the country’s progress on food security should not be measured primarily by the volume of food produced or displayed in markets, but by whether households could obtain affordable, safe and nutritious meals.

“Food security must mean more than having something to eat. It must also mean having access to food that nourishes the body, protects health and supports human development. Nigerians should not have to choose between feeding their families and providing them with nutritious meals,” the organisation said.

Ultra-processed foods raise public health concerns

CAPPA expressed concern over the rising cost of healthy diets, citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and accused the ultra-processed food industry of using aggressive and deceptive marketing practices that influence consumers’ choices and access to nutritious food.

It warned that expanding food availability without improving nutritional quality could undermine public health efforts, particularly as excessive consumption of sugar, sodium and unhealthy fats is associated with obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.

According to the organisation, tackling hunger and malnutrition requires a broader approach that considers the availability and marketing of ultra-processed foods, the affordability of fresh and minimally processed products, and the effectiveness of regulations designed to protect consumers.

CAPPA acknowledged the Federal Government’s ongoing review of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (2016–2025) and plans to accelerate the passage of a National Food and Nutrition Bill to safeguard nutrition financing.

However, it cautioned against relying on the ultra-processed food industry to resolve Nigeria’s nutrition challenges, arguing that commercial interests may conflict with public health priorities.

CAPPA seeks passage of SSB Tax Bill

The organisation called on the Federal Government and relevant regulatory agencies to strengthen policies aimed at making food products safer and healthier.

Its recommendations include implementing an effective sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax, introducing clear front-of-pack nutrition labels, establishing sodium-reduction targets, restricting the marketing of unhealthy foods to children, and sustaining efforts to eliminate industrially produced trans fats.

CAPPA specifically urged the House of Representatives to follow the Senate’s lead by passing the Customs, Excise Tariffs, etc. (Consolidation) Act (CETA) Amendment Bill, commonly known as the SSB Tax Bill.

The group said the proposed legislation would help discourage excessive consumption of sugary drinks while generating domestic revenue to strengthen Nigeria’s health system.

It also called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant authorities to strengthen food labelling and product regulation.

CAPPA said front-of-pack warning labels would enable consumers to identify products high in nutrients of concern and make more informed purchasing decisions.

The organisation further urged the government to protect children from the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages, including through digital advertising, influencer promotions and campaigns around schools.

Investment in local food systems needed

Beyond regulating unhealthy products, CAPPA called for increased investment in local food systems to make nutritious diets more affordable and accessible.

It urged the government to support smallholder farmers, promote agroecological production, and invest in storage facilities, food processing and distribution networks.

According to the group, such investments would reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen local livelihoods and improve access to diverse and nutritious foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

CAPPA also stressed the need to address the influence of commercial interests on public health policymaking, calling for transparent decision-making, safeguards against conflicts of interest and meaningful public participation in decisions affecting Nigeria’s food supply.

It said World Food Day should serve as an opportunity for the government to assess whether existing food policies were improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

The organisation maintained that innovation in food security must go beyond increasing agricultural output to include stronger public institutions, effective regulation, sustainable farming practices and food systems that prioritise nutrition, equity and accountability.