As Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Health Day 2026, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on governments at all levels to urgently address chronic underfunding and policy gaps undermining the country’s health sector.
In a statement issued on Monday, CAPPA criticised what it described as persistent inadequate budgetary allocation to the health sector over the past decade.
The organisation said allocations have consistently fallen below the 15 per cent benchmark set under the Abuja Declaration, while approved funds are often not fully released.
Citing data from the Budget Office of the Federation, CAPPA pointed to recent examples to support its claims. It noted that in January, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reportedly expressed concern over its inability to implement the 2025 capital budget after only N36 million was released out of the N218 billion allocated. Similarly, in 2024, just N26.552 billion was released from the N233.656 billion earmarked for capital projects.
CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said the gap between budgetary allocations and actual releases has weakened the health system and limited access to essential services.
According to him, the situation has resulted in overstretched facilities, a shortage of health workers worsened by the “Japa” trend, and rising out-of-pocket healthcare costs for Nigerians.
The organisation also raised concerns over the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including hypertension, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular conditions, which it said account for about 29 per cent of annual deaths in the country.
CAPPA attributed the rise in NCDs to unhealthy diets and called for urgent preventive measures, particularly policies aimed at reducing the consumption of salt, sugar and trans fats.
Referencing the World Health Day 2026 theme, “Together for health: Stand with science,” the group urged governments to adopt evidence-based policies to address the country’s growing health challenges.
Among its recommendations, CAPPA called for a stronger Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax. While welcoming moves by the National Assembly to review the current N10 per litre levy, the organisation advocated an increase to at least 50 per cent of the retail price, in line with global health recommendations.
It noted that such fiscal measures could help reduce consumption of unhealthy products while generating additional revenue for health sector funding.
The group also called for complementary interventions, including mandatory sodium reduction targets, front-of-pack labelling on processed foods, and restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods, especially to children.
CAPPA further highlighted the growing health risks associated with tobacco use and emerging nicotine products, describing current funding for tobacco control as inadequate.
It said the N13 million allocation to the Tobacco Control Fund falls far short of what is required for effective implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act and called for an increase to at least N300 million.
The organisation urged governments, policymakers and relevant agencies to scale up health sector funding, ensure timely release of approved budgets, and strengthen accountability mechanisms.
It also emphasised the need to prioritise preventive healthcare as a key strategy for reducing the country’s disease burden.
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