World Health Day 2026: CAPPA demands evidence-based policies, increased health funding

Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director, CAPPA

Stanley Ihedigbo

As the world marks World Health Day 2026, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on governments at all levels in Nigeria to urgently address chronic underfunding and policy gaps that continue to undermine the nation’s health sector.

In a statement signed by the Media and Communication Officer, Robert Egbe, CAPPA decried Nigeria’s persistent failure to meet the 15 per cent health sector allocation benchmark set under the Abuja Declaration.

The organisation noted that even approved funds are often not fully released. For instance, the Federal Ministry of Health reportedly received only N36 million out of N218 billion approved for the 2025 capital budget.

Similarly, in 2024, just N26.552 billion was released from N233.656 billion earmarked for capital projects.

“This longstanding gap between budget promises and actual releases has weakened the health system and short-changed Nigerians,” said CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi.

“It shows up in limited access to essential medicines, overstretched facilities, a severe shortage of health workers worsened by the ‘Japa’ trend, high out-of-pocket costs, and a rising burden of non-communicable diseases.”

CAPPA highlighted that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and heart-related conditions – now account for about 29% of annual deaths in Nigeria, putting immense pressure on families and the health system.

The organisation stressed that preventive policies, particularly those targeting excessive salt, sugar, and trans fat consumption, are urgently needed.

Referencing the World Health Day 2026 theme, “Together for Health: Stand with Science”, CAPPA urged governments to prioritise evidence-based policies. One key intervention is a stronger Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax.

The group welcomed moves by the National Assembly to review the current N10 per litre levy, advocating for a percentage-based tax tied to retail price, with a portion of revenue earmarked for health promotion.

“The current SSB tax is too low to significantly reduce consumption. We are calling for an increase to at least 50% of the retail price, in line with WHO recommendations. Stronger fiscal measures can reduce consumption while generating much-needed revenue for health financing,” Oluwafemi said.

CAPPA also reiterated calls for complementary policies, including mandatory sodium reduction targets for processed foods, front-of-pack labelling to empower consumers, and restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods to children.

“These measures are critical to tackling the silent epidemic of diet-related diseases,” CAPPA said.

“Fiscal and regulatory policies promoting healthy diets remain among the most cost-effective tools available to governments.”

The organisation further called for increased investment in tobacco control, describing the current N13 million allocation to the Tobacco Control Fund as inadequate.

CAPPA recommended a review of at least N300 million to strengthen implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act.

“Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide, including in Nigeria. Effective implementation of tobacco control laws requires far greater investment than currently provided,” Oluwafemi emphasized.

CAPPA urged governments, policymakers, and relevant agencies to:
Scale up health sector funding and ensure the timely release of approved budgets.

Strengthen accountability mechanisms in health sector spending, and back science with action, prioritising preventive measures.

“Prevention must become central to Nigeria’s health strategy. Adequate funding and strong, evidence-based policies are essential to protect public health,” Oluwafemi concluded.