World Obesity Day: Health Advocates Warn Nigeria Faces Growing Obesity Crisis As Junk Food Marketing Targets Children
As obesity quietly rises into one of the world’s most pressing health threats, public health advocates are warning that Nigeria must act swiftly to prevent a looming epidemic driven by aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods.
On the occasion of World Obesity Day 2026, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called for stricter government regulation of junk food advertising and stronger fiscal measures to curb the consumption of ultra-processed foods linked to obesity and other noncommunicable diseases.
In a statement marking the global theme “8 billion reasons to act on obesity,” the organisation warned that projections show nearly half of the world’s population, about four billion people, could be living with overweight or obesity by 2035 if urgent steps are not taken.
CAPPA said Nigeria is already showing worrying signs of the global trend as rapid urbanisation, changing dietary habits, and the growing presence of ultra-processed foods continue to reshape the country’s food environment.
Citing data from the National Library of Medicine, the organisation noted that as of 2020, more than 21 million Nigerians aged 15 and above were overweight, while over 12 million were classified as obese.
The group particularly raised concern over the targeted marketing of sugary drinks and unhealthy foods to children and young people, especially through television, digital platforms, in-school promotions and outdoor advertising during festive periods.
CAPPA argued that food and beverage companies deliberately shape children’s taste preferences early in life to create lifelong consumers.
To address the growing public health risk, the organisation urged governments at all levels to introduce strict regulations restricting the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children across all media platforms.
It also called on the National Assembly to significantly increase Nigeria’s Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) tax to 50 per cent of the retail price, in line with recommendations by the World Health Organisation, noting that the current tax level is too low to reduce consumption.
CAPPA further advocated the adoption of mandatory Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) that clearly warns consumers when products contain high levels of sugar, salt or unhealthy fats.
According to the organisation, simple warning labels would help Nigerians make informed food choices while encouraging manufacturers to reformulate products to healthier standards.
The group also pushed for a national salt reduction regulation, stressing that excessive sodium intake contributes to obesity, hypertension, stroke and heart disease—conditions that already affect millions of Nigerians.
“Protecting present and future generations from diet-related diseases requires effective policies, firm regulation and political will that puts people before profit,” CAPPA stated.
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