Every year, World Food Day marked on October 16 reminds us of the fundamental right to adequate food, underpinning the need for policies that ensure access to nutritious diets for all. In Nigeria, where malnutrition, obesity, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise, effective policies on healthy food especially sugar-sweetened beverages tax are more urgent than ever. 
 

In line with the 2024 World Food Day theme 'Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future’, food policies influence what is available, affordable, and promoted to the public. Without policies/regulations, unhealthy foods and drinks become dominant, leading to negative health outcomes, which are seen in our healthcare system today. Inadequate or ineffective policies could either result from the government’s negligence or strong industry influence in the policy space. Either way, the vacuum allows the giant food producers to make more profit to the detriment of public health.
 

Nigeria faces a complex dual burden of malnutrition: 35% of children under five are stunted due to chronic malnutrition, while adult obesity and diet-related diseases are also on the rise. The 2022 Nigerian NCD Report shows that diet-related NCDs like diabetes and hypertension are placing immense pressure on the healthcare system. This pressure is further compounded by economic issues, information failure, and socio-cultural factors that deepen the health and social problems for individuals, families, and the government.
 

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a significant contributor to these health risks, yet they remain easily accessible and widely marketed to children and youth. The Nigerian government introduced the SSB tax in 2021, a commendable policy aimed at reducing consumption and as a source of health financing. However, the journey toward effective implementation has not been smooth. Corporate interference, regulatory loopholes, and insufficient public awareness threaten to undermine the impact of these measures.
 

Despite growing evidence of the dangers of unhealthy foods and sugary drinks, corporations often deploy sophisticated strategies to weaken public health efforts. Including lobby against health-focused legislation, like the SSB tax, under the guise of protecting jobs and the economy, aggressively marketing unhealthy products to children and vulnerable people, using influencers, advertisements, and sponsorships, product misinformation, as highlighted in the FCCPC’s report on the analysis of Coke Original Taste and Coke Less Sugar, published earlier this year, with Coca-Cola holding the largest market share in the soft drinks sector in Nigeria.
 

Nigeria must strengthen its regulatory frameworks to close these loopholes. The health of citizens, especially vulnerable populations, cannot be left in the hands of profit-driven industries.
 

Food justice is more than access to nutritious meals - it is about dismantling the systems that perpetuate inequality in our food systems. In Nigeria, where poverty levels remain high, many people cannot afford healthy foods, while cheaper, less nutritious options are plentiful. With these industry actions, the westernisation of diets, and the spatial expansion of corporation’s influence, we might also begin to see the problem of food deserts in Nigeria.  Food deserts define areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious foods, highlighting the deep inequalities in the food supply chain.
 

Addressing these disparities requires treating food justice as a matter of social justice. It is about ensuring that everyone - regardless of income or location - has access to affordable, healthy food.
 

On this World Food Day, we need to reflect on the kind of Nigeria we want to build - a nation where every citizen has access to nutritious food and public health comes before corporate profits, a Nigeria where healthy food is a right, not a privilege. 
We at the Healthy Food Policy Youth Vanguard (HFPVY) believe that today’s celebration is a reminder for the government to take action because achieving food justice will require more than good intentions; policymakers need to stand firm against corporate influence and prioritize the health of Nigerians above all else. 
 

HFPVY is a movement of young Nigerians involved in demanding change, championing food policies through stakeholders’ engagement, social media campaigns, and grassroots mobilization. We are young advocates increasingly participating in advocacy for good nutrition and food security, co-designing advocacy strategies that reflect the realities of vulnerable populations. Young people are the heartbeats of movements, and the fight for food justice in Nigeria is no exception. 

Sign off: Samuel Dorcas Mbasen