Sugary Drinks Driving Health Crisis in Nigeria, Expert Warns
A Nigerian public health advocate has sounded the alarm over the country’s soaring consumption of sugary drinks, linking it to rising cases of chronic diseases and preventable deaths.
Abayomi Sarumi, Associate Director at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), told DAILY POST that Nigeria is facing a “silent health emergency” driven by the widespread intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), especially among young people.
“These drinks are energy-dense and sugar-laden,” Sarumi said. “They contribute nothing but excess calories and are fueling a growing crisis of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.”
SSBs, commonly known as soft drinks, include sodas, fruit drinks, energy drinks, and sports beverages—all of which contain added sugars like sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup. According to Sarumi, a typical bottle contains nearly 14 cubes of sugar – exceeding the daily limit recommended by global health experts.
“This overload triggers blood sugar spikes, crashes, and long-term damage to the body’s systems. Over time, it increases the risk of weight gain, cardiovascular disease, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are now responsible for over 30% of deaths in Nigeria,” he said.
54 Billion Litres Consumed in 2024
Recent figures cited by Sarumi show that Nigerians consumed more than 54 billion litres of sugary drinks in 2024, making the country one of Africa’s largest consumers. This sharp rise has come alongside increased availability of processed foods and snacks, worsening health outcomes.
“In the last decade alone, we’ve seen a more than 150% increase in cardiovascular conditions, with over 27 million Nigerians living with high blood pressure,” he noted. “Combined with poor diets, smoking, and alcohol use, the World Health Organization estimates that 22% of Nigerians are now at risk of early death from NCDs.”
Awareness Gaps and Dangerous Myths
Sarumi believes public awareness about the dangers of sugary drinks is still worryingly low. “Many people understand that sugar isn’t healthy, but very few make the connection between regular consumption of SSBs and life-threatening conditions,” he said.
He also criticised the spread of misleading medical and cultural beliefs. “Some people are even told by healthcare providers to drink soft drinks before taking medicine. And in many communities, diseases like diabetes or stroke are wrongly attributed to spiritual causes, not diet.”
Youth at the Centre of the Crisis
Young Nigerians are particularly vulnerable, Sarumi warned, due to aggressive marketing tactics that promote sugary drinks as symbols of lifestyle, success, or happiness.
“These products are cheap, heavily advertised, and sold everywhere. The companies also run flashy corporate social responsibility projects that make them appear like they care, while avoiding responsibility for the health impact of their products,” he said.
Policy Solutions
Sarumi supports the government’s introduction of a sugar tax but argues it must be part of a broader strategy to curb consumption.
“A strong SSB tax should not just be about generating revenue,” he said. “The funds must be channelled into healthcare services and public awareness campaigns that educate Nigerians on the dangers of these drinks.”
He also recommended other measures, including:
Clear warning labels on sugary beverages
Mandatory sugar and salt limits in processed food
A ban on celebrity endorsements of SSBs
Restrictions on advertising targeted at children
“These policies, if implemented together, could significantly reduce consumption and protect millions of Nigerians – especially the youth – from preventable diseases,” Sarumi concluded.
