By Progress Godfrey
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark World Cancer Day 2025, a public health advocacy group, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), has called on federal and state governments to develop and enforce comprehensive healthy food policies to curb the rising cancer burden in the country.
In a statement signed by its Media & Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, CAPPA warned that Nigerians’ exposure to ultra-processed foods, tobacco, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and excessive salt consumption is contributing to the alarming rates of cancer and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Cancer remains a major public health issue in Nigeria, with the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment reporting over 120,000 new cases annually.
According to the National Cancer Prevention and Control Plan (2018-2022), Nigerians spend an estimated ₦12 billion each year on cancer treatment.
“These figures highlight the urgent need for a multifaceted policy approach and preventive measures to tackle the country’s cancer and NCD crisis,” CAPPA stated.
To address this growing health challenge, CAPPA urged the government to:Implement national guidelines to reduce salt consumption.
“Increase the SSB tax rate from ₦10 to ₦130 per litre to discourage excessive sugary drink consumption and generate revenue for health interventions.
“Strengthen regulations on novel tobacco products, which are increasingly targeted at young people.
“Allocate more resources to the tobacco control fund to enhance enforcement efforts and public awareness campaigns.
“Introduce clear front-of-package food labeling to inform consumers about nutritional content.”
CAPPA emphasised that unhealthy dietary habits contribute to various cancers. While tobacco remains the leading cause of cancer worldwide, excessive consumption of SSBs is associated with obesity-related cancers such as kidney and colon cancers.
Similarly, high salt intake increases the risk of stomach cancer and other health complications.
The organisation’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, stressed the importance of creating a healthy food environment backed by effective regulations.
He called for fiscal policies that discourage the consumption of unhealthy diets, promote healthier food choices through subsidies, and encourage investments in agriculture for nutrient-rich crops.