Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has premiered a new documentary titled Sweet Poison, highlighting the health and environmental dangers associated with the growing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in Nigeria.
The non-governmental organisation unveiled the 20-minute documentary during a media presentation in Lagos on Wednesday, stating that the film examines how ultra-processed food and beverage companies have embedded sugary drinks into daily Nigerian life through aggressive marketing and extensive market penetration.
CAPPA said the documentary explores the connection between excessive sugary drink consumption and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular disease.
According to the organisation, the film combines expert opinions, personal testimonies and visual storytelling to present perspectives from policymakers, health professionals, patients, traders, fishermen and students on the growing public health challenge linked to sugary beverages.
The documentary also addresses the environmental impact of the beverage industry, including plastic pollution and resource-intensive production processes.
Speaking after the premiere, CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said Sweet Poison was designed to reveal how dependence on sugary drinks is gradually affecting Nigeria’s public health profile.
He noted that the documentary also showcases CAPPA’s advocacy efforts aimed at encouraging youth participation in public policy discussions at both national and sub-national levels.
The film further questions the effectiveness of Nigeria’s current SSB tax policy introduced under the Finance Act 2021, which imposed a N10 per litre excise duty on sweetened and carbonated drinks to curb excessive consumption and support health interventions.
CAPPA argued that the current tax structure has had limited impact on consumer behaviour and industry practices, calling for a revised framework that would impose at least a 20 per cent excise tax on the retail price of sugary drinks, or preferably 50 per cent, while dedicating part of the revenue to public health programmes.
Oluwafemi stressed that strengthening the SSB tax had become necessary as Nigeria faces rising cases of non-communicable diseases and increasing healthcare costs.
Among guests at the screening were Lagos State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Saheed Babajide; diabetes advocate Ronke Opaleye; Founder of the Diabetes and Limb Salvage Foundation, Osarenkhoe Chima-Nwogwugwu; Chief Executive Officer of Stradev Nigeria, Dr. Leslie Adogame; and publisher of Nigeria Health Online, Sam Eferaro.
CAPPA disclosed that the documentary premiered on TVC News on May 5, 2026, and is currently airing on several media platforms nationwide. It is also available on CAPPA’s official YouTube and social media channels.