Why 20% SSB tax is in national interest – FG

The federal government has said it is committed to the implementation of a hike in Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) taxation in Nigeria for national development.

The Director/Head of the Public Health Department, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Chukwuma Anyaike, said this during the inaugural meeting of the ad-hoc committee on SSB tax in Abuja on Thursday.

Represented by Mrs Etta Nneka, Deputy Director of NCD, Anyaike said the effort aims to prevent and control Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and in turn to boost the economy and other productivity sphere in the country.

She noted that SSB taxation has been successfully implemented in Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, and Portugal, among others leading to effective reduction in the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

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Also, Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), said, “Today’s developments demonstrate a certain level of political commitment, indicating their readiness to fulfill their social contract of safeguarding the health of Nigerians.