As Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Heart Day 2025 tomorrow, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the federal and state governments to urgently adopt robust healthy food policies to stem the rising tide of cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country.
In a statement on Sunday, CAPPA urged authorities at all levels to implement evidence-based measures, including mandatory salt reduction targets, an effective sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) tax of at least N130 per litre, mandatory front-of-pack warning labels (FOPWL) on packaged and ultra-processed foods (UPF), restrictions on the advertising and marketing of junk foods, tobacco and smokeless nicotine products, especially to children, and an increase in tobacco taxes to at least 100 percent.
Akinbode Oluwafemi, CAPPA’s Executive Director, urged the government not to renege on its plan to earmark these taxes for strengthening the health sector.
“These measures are proven, cost-effective interventions that will save lives and protect families from the devastating health and financial burdens of heart disease and related illnesses,” Oluwafemi added.
The statement traced a firm connection between heart disease and unhealthy diets, adding that: “Excessive consumption of salt and sugar-sweetened beverages increases the risk of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity — key drivers of cardiovascular diseases. Similarly, tobacco use damages the heart and blood vessels, raising the risk of stroke and heart attacks.
“Nigeria is already paying the price. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of death in the country. The Nigerian Cardiac Society recently revealed that about one-third of Nigerian adults live with high blood pressure, with rates rising to 40 per cent in some regions. Alarmingly, one-third of hypertensive Nigerians are undiagnosed, and another third have uncontrolled blood pressure despite knowing their status.”
CAPPA cited limited healthcare infrastructure as worsening an already alarming crisis.
“As of 2021, only 13 centres in Nigeria were conducting heart surgery, with just 80 heart surgeons serving a population of over 200 million people. Heart surgery costs have also risen steeply — from about ₦3 million to ₦5.5 million on average in 2024 according to media reports — placing lifesaving care far beyond the reach of most families,” it added.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cardiovascular diseases claim 17.9 million lives globally every year, with more than 75 per cent of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. Most of these deaths are preventable through policies that reduce harmful risk factors such as tobacco use, excessive salt and sugar consumption, physical inactivity, and alcohol abuse.
World Heart Day, observed annually, aims to increase awareness about CVDs, empower individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles, and encourage governments to create environments that support heart-healthy living. This includes expanding access to healthcare, adopting strong nutrition and tobacco control policies, promoting active transportation like walking and cycling, and reducing air pollution.
CAPPA emphasised that Nigeria cannot continue to rely solely on individual responsibility in the fight against CVDs and NCDs. It said strong government policies are needed to create healthier environments and ensure that healthier choices become the order of the day for Nigerians.
“By reducing salt in processed foods, introducing bold warning labels, increasing taxes on sugary drinks and tobacco, and restricting harmful marketing, Nigeria can significantly cut down the rising burden of heart disease,” the organisation stressed.
It noted further that such policies not only protect public health but also reduce long-term healthcare costs, improve productivity, and support economic growth.
CAPPA urged federal and state governments to act fast and decisively.
“We urge policymakers to put people before profits by adopting strong food and tobacco control measures. Protecting our hearts means protecting the country’s future,” the statement concluded.
