World Obesity Day 2026: CAPPA Demands Stricter Controls on Junk Food Advertising

The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called for tougher regulations to rein in the aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages, warning that decisive government action is essential to stem Nigeria’s growing obesity crisis.
In a statement issued on Wednesday to mark World Obesity Day (WOD) 2026, themed “8 billion reasons to act on obesity,” the organisation described obesity as one of the most pressing global health challenges. It cited projections showing that nearly half of the world’s population — about four billion people — could be living with overweight or obesity by 2035.
CAPPA said Nigeria is increasingly vulnerable to the trend, attributing the rise in obesity and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) to changing dietary habits, rapid urbanisation, and the widespread consumption of ultra-processed foods.
The group warned that the unchecked marketing and easy availability of products high in sugar, salt and trans fats are driving a surge in obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases across the country. It referenced data published by the National Library of Medicine indicating that as of 2020, more than 21 million Nigerians aged 15 and above were overweight, while over 12 million were classified as obese.
Of particular concern, CAPPA noted, is the targeted promotion of unhealthy foods to children and young people through television, digital platforms, in-school campaigns and outdoor advertisements, especially during festive periods.
Citing its latest report, Unhealthy Food Hijack of Festive Periods in Nigeria, the organisation alleged that food and beverage companies deliberately shape children’s taste preferences to secure long-term consumers, leaving society to bear the health and economic costs.
To tackle the crisis, CAPPA urged federal and state governments to enact and enforce stricter policies limiting the marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks to children across all media platforms.
The organisation also called on the National Assembly to significantly increase the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) tax, arguing that the current rate is too low to curb consumption. It recommended raising the tax to 50 per cent of the retail price in line with guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), saying stronger fiscal measures would discourage excessive intake and boost health-sector funding.
Beyond taxation, CAPPA advocated for mandatory Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) to clearly indicate when products contain high levels of sugar, salt or unhealthy fats. It said visible warning labels would enable consumers to make informed choices and encourage manufacturers to reformulate products.
The group further pressed for the development and enforcement of a comprehensive national salt reduction policy, noting that excessive sodium consumption is closely linked to obesity and hypertension — a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease in Nigeria.
As the global community reflects on the theme of “8 billion reasons” to act, CAPPA stressed that Nigeria has millions of reasons of its own to address obesity through firm regulation and strong political will prioritising public health over profit.
The statement was signed by Robert Egbe, Media and Communications Officer, CAPPA.