As Nigeria joins the global community in marking World Heart Day 2025, the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA has called on the federal and state governments to urgently adopt stronger food and tobacco control policies to curb the rising burden of cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases in the country.
In a statement signed by its Media and Communication Officer, Robert Egbe, CAPPA stressed the need for authorities to implement evidence-based interventions such as salt reduction targets, higher taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and tobacco, clear front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods, as well as restrictions on the marketing of junk foods and nicotine products, particularly to children.
The group also urged government to stay committed to its plan of channeling revenues from these taxes into strengthening Nigeria’s overstretched health system.
CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, described the measures as cost-effective and lifesaving, noting that they have the potential to protect families from the devastating health and financial burdens of heart disease and related illnesses.
He drew attention to the firm connection between poor diets, tobacco use, and cardiovascular disease, warning that Nigeria is already paying a heavy price. Excessive consumption of salt and sugary drinks, he said, increases the risk of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, while tobacco use damages the heart and blood vessels, raising the risk of stroke and heart attacks.
The group referenced figures from the Nigerian Cardiac Society which show that one-third of adults in the country live with high blood pressure, with prevalence rising to 40 percent in some regions. Even more troubling is the fact that one-third of hypertensive Nigerians remain undiagnosed, while another third have uncontrolled blood pressure despite being aware of their condition.
CAPPA lamented that weak health infrastructure worsens the crisis. As of 2021, only 13 centres in Nigeria were performing heart surgeries, with just 80 surgeons serving a population of over 200 million. The cost of surgery has also risen steeply, averaging between ₦5 million and ₦5.5 million in 2024, placing critical care far beyond the reach of most families.
Globally, the World Health Organisation reports that cardiovascular diseases claim 17.9 million lives every year, with more than 75 percent of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. Yet most of the fatalities are preventable through policies that reduce harmful risk factors such as tobacco use, poor diets, physical inactivity, and alcohol abuse.
World Heart Day, observed annually, seeks to raise awareness of cardiovascular diseases, empower individuals to embrace healthier lifestyles, and encourage governments to create environments that support heart-healthy living. CAPPA insisted that Nigeria cannot continue to rely solely on individual responsibility, but must act decisively to create healthier environments where better choices become the norm.
According to the organisation, reducing salt in processed foods, introducing bold warning labels, increasing taxes on sugary drinks and tobacco, and restricting harmful advertising will significantly cut down the rising burden of heart disease. It further noted that such policies will not only save lives but also reduce long-term healthcare costs, improve productivity, and contribute to economic growth.
The statement concluded with a call on policymakers to put people before profits by prioritising food and tobacco control measures, stressing that protecting the nation’s heart health is key to safeguarding Nigeria’s future.