The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has commended the federal government’s plan to allocate revenues from excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) to health financing.
CAPPA described the initiative as a bold opportunity for the Tinubu administration to establish sustainable healthcare funding and safeguard the well-being of Nigerian citizens.
The commendation follows the recent disclosure by Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, at a national health-financing dialogue in Abuja. Oyedele revealed that the federal government is finalising a draft policy that would earmark excise-tax revenues for health sector support.
“The policy will soon be submitted to the Minister of Health and Social Welfare,” Oyedele stated.
In response, CAPPA issued a statement through its Media and Communication Officer, Robert Egbe, praising the initiative and stressing its alignment with both national and global public health goals.
“This is a decisive opportunity for the Tinubu administration to leave a legacy of sustainable funding for Nigeria’s fragile healthcare system,” the group said.
CAPPA referenced both local and World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that highlight Nigeria’s struggles with inadequate public health financing and the rising toll of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
These diseases, CAPPA noted, are largely driven by the excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, tobacco, alcohol, and salt.
“Dedicating excise tax revenues to health will not only strengthen the healthcare system but also address the health harms caused by these products,” the statement added.
The group urged the government to fast-track the policy’s adoption and implementation to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective impact.
