CAPPA to FG: Make Nutritious Food Affordable for Nigerians

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

The organisation, in a statement by its Media and Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, to mark World Food Day 2026, also called for stronger regulations to curb the marketing of unhealthy food products, particularly sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods, to children.

CAPPA said Nigeria’s rising food production had not translated into adequate access to affordable, safe and nutritious meals for millions of citizens, citing post-harvest losses, insecurity in farming communities and weaknesses in supply chains as major contributors to hunger and malnutrition.

Although Nigeria is a leading producer of cassava and a major producer of other staples, the group argued that food security should not be measured solely by the volume of food produced or available in markets, but by whether households can afford nutritious diets.

“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.

With this year’s World Food Day themed “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow,” CAPPA cited data from the National Bureau of Statistics on the rising cost of healthy diets, warning that aggressive marketing by the ultra-processed food industry could undermine efforts to improve nutrition.

The organisation said excessive consumption of sugar, sodium and unhealthy fats was associated with health risks, including obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.

It stressed that efforts to tackle hunger must also address the wider food environment, including the affordability of fresh produce, the marketing of unhealthy products and the effectiveness of regulations designed to protect consumers.

CAPPA acknowledged the Federal Government’s review of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition and plans to advance a National Food and Nutrition Bill to protect nutrition financing. However, it cautioned against relying on the food industry to resolve nutrition challenges, arguing that commercial interests could conflict with public health priorities.

The group called for an effective sugar-sweetened beverage tax, clear front-of-pack warning labels, sodium-reduction targets, restrictions on unhealthy food marketing to children and sustained efforts to eliminate industrially produced trans fats.

It specifically urged the House of Representatives to pass the Customs, Excise Tariffs, etc. (Consolidation) Act Amendment Bill, commonly referred to as the SSB Tax Bill, following the Senate’s action on the proposed legislation.

According to CAPPA, the measure could 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 regulatory agencies to strengthen food labelling and product regulation, saying front-of-pack warning labels would help consumers make more informed choices.

The organisation said children needed greater protection from the promotion of products high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, including through digital advertising, influencer marketing and promotions around schools.

Beyond regulation, CAPPA urged the government to invest in local food systems by supporting smallholder farmers, agroecological production, storage facilities, food processing and distribution networks.

It said such investments could reduce post-harvest losses, improve farmers’ livelihoods and expand access to fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

The group also called for transparent policymaking, safeguards against conflicts of interest and meaningful public participation in decisions affecting Nigeria’s food supply.

CAPPA said World Food Day should prompt an assessment of whether existing policies were improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians, adding that innovation must include stronger public institutions, sustainable agriculture and food systems that prioritise nutrition, equity and accountability.

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