Stakeholders from the government, public health professionals, academics, civil society groups, the media, among others are set to identify effective implementation and sustainability roadmaps in the current Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSB) tax regime in Nigeria at the upcoming national conference on sugar sweetened beverages tax.
The theme of the conference: “Towards Sustainable Pathway for Pro-Health Tax in Nigeria” is in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) .
In a press release signed by the Programme Officer, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA),Opeyemi Ibitoye said the lineup of speakers includes President’s Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, Nigeria Customs Service, and other leading expert on public health, tax and financing, public health advocates, and representatives of the people.
She further explained that the Development Governance International, Dr. Gafar Alawode will lead the conversation on “Nigeria’s Weak Health Systems and the Quest for Sustainable Healthcare Financing: A Case for Pro-Health Taxes.”
It would be recalled that the federal government through the Finance Act 2021 introduced a N10/litre Excise Duty on Sugar Sweetened Beverages.
Following the growing concerns over rising cases of Non-Communicable Diseases in Nigeria, advocates have urged to increase the rate from #10 to minimum of N20 and progressed to the most effective evidenced-based rate that reduces consumption, expand products coverage, improved collection regime and sustainable legislation to support the tax.
