World Food Day: CAPPA urges FG to prioritise nutrition, make healthy food affordable
Kola Oyelere Kano
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Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged the Federal Government to prioritise nutrition, food affordability and stronger regulations against unhealthy food products in Nigeria’s food security policies.
The organisation made the call in a statement issued on Friday, October 16, 2026, to mark World Food Day, themed “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow.”
CAPPA noted that although Nigeria had recorded steady growth in food production and remained a leading producer of cassava, yam and sorghum, millions of Nigerians continued to face acute food insecurity and undernutrition
The statement was signed by Robert Egbe, CAPPA’s Media and Communications Officer.a copy made available to press in Kano
It attributed the situation to factors including post-harvest losses, insecurity in farming communities, logistical challenges and weaknesses in supply chains.
The organisation said food security should not be measured solely by the volume of food produced or available in markets, but also by whether citizens could afford safe, nutritious and healthy meals.
“Food security must mean more than having something to eat. It must also mean having access to food that nourishes the body, protects health and supports human development. Nigerians should not have to choose between feeding their families and providing them with nutritious meals,” the statement said.
CAPPA also expressed concern over the rising cost of healthy diets, citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and accused the ultra-processed food industry of using aggressive and deceptive marketing practices that influence consumers’ choices and access to nutritious food.
It warned that increasing food availability without addressing nutritional quality could undermine public health efforts, noting that excessive consumption of sugar, sodium and unhealthy fats was associated with obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.
The organisation stressed that addressing hunger and malnutrition required a broader approach that considered food prices, the marketing of unhealthy products, access to fresh food and the effectiveness of consumer protection regulations.
CAPPA acknowledged the Federal Government’s ongoing review of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (2016–2025) and plans to accelerate the passage of a National Food and Nutrition Bill to protect nutrition financing.
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However, it cautioned against relying on the ultra-processed food industry to resolve the country’s nutrition challenges, arguing that commercial interests should not take precedence over public health.
The group called on the Federal Government and relevant regulatory agencies to introduce and strengthen measures to promote healthier food choices.
Among the measures it recommended were an effective tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, clear front-of-pack warning labels, sodium-reduction targets, restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods to children and sustained efforts to eliminate industrially produced trans fats
.
Specifically, CAPPA urged the House of Representatives to follow the Senate’s lead by passing the Customs, Excise Tariffs, etc. (Consolidation) Act Amendment Bill, also known as the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) Tax Bill.
According to the organisation, the proposed legislation would help discourage excessive consumption of sugary drinks while generating domestic revenue to strengthen Nigeria’s health system.
It also called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant authorities to strengthen food labelling and product regulation.
CAPPA said front-of-pack warning labels would enable consumers to make informed decisions about the nutritional quality of products they purchase.
The organisation further called for stronger safeguards to protect children from the promotion of foods and beverages containing excessive amounts of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, particularly through digital advertising, influencer marketing and promotions around schools.
On improving access to nutritious food, CAPPA urged the government to invest in local food systems, support smallholder farmers and promote agroecological farming practices.
It said investments in storage facilities, food processing and distribution networks would help reduce post-harvest losses, improve farmers’ livelihoods and expand access to diverse foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.
The organisation also called for greater transparency in food policy development, safeguards against conflicts of interest and meaningful public participation in decisions affecting Nigeria’s food supply.
It warned that commercial interests should not undermine public-health considerations in the formulation and implementation of food policies.
CAPPA said World Food Day should serve as an opportunity for the government to assess whether existing food policies were improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
It added that innovation in food systems should go beyond increasing production to include stronger public institutions, effective regulation, sustainable agricultural practices and policies that promote nutrition, equity and accountability.
