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Call for sugar tax detrimental to manufacturing sector- CPPE

Published

2 months ago

January 21, 2026

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has expressed concern over renewed calls in some quarters for the imposition of additional taxes on sugar-sweetened non-alcoholic beverages in Nigeria.

CPPE Founder, Dr Muda Yusuf, made this known on Wednesday in Lagos via a statement.

Accorsing to Yusuf, while public health challenges such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases warrant urgent attention, the proposition of a sugar-specific tax is misplaced and economically risky.

He said that the call was not adequately contextualised within Nigeria’s prevailing structural, social, and macroeconomic realities.

“Advocacy for sugar taxation in Nigeria is largely driven by externally derived policy templates, particularly those associated with global health institutions.

“However, global best practice does not support sugar taxation as a sustainable or standalone solution to non-communicable diseases, especially in economies characterised by high inflation, weak purchasing power, fragile industrial recovery, and widespread poverty, such as Nigeria,” he said.

Yusuf noted that the country’s food and beverage industry remained the largest and most dynamic segment of the manufacturing sector, with the non-alcoholic beverages sub-sector playing a particularly significant role.

He said data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicated that the food and beverage industry contributed approximately 40 per cent of total manufacturing output, making it a critical driver of industrial growth, employment and value creation.

He added that beyond factory-level operations, the sector sustained an extensive value chain that spans farmers, agro-input suppliers, processors, packaging companies, logistics providers, wholesalers, retailers, and the hospitality industry.

“Collectively, these activities support millions of livelihoods nationwide.

“Any policy that undermines this sector therefore carries wide-ranging economic consequences, including job losses, declining household incomes, reduced investment and setbacks to poverty-reduction efforts,” he said.

The CPPE boss added that manufacturers of non-alcoholic beverages were among the most heavily taxed and cost-pressured businesses in the Nigerian economy.

He listed existing fiscal obligations to include 30 per cent Company Income Tax, 7.5 per cent Value-Added Tax (VAT), N10 per litre excise duty, four per cent National Development Levy on assessable profits.

Others, he said, were four per cent Free on Board levy on imported inputs, import duties of five per cent to 15 per cent on intermediate raw materials, 0.5 per cent ECOWAS levy, property taxes at sub-national levels and multiple state and local government levies.

“These fiscal pressures are further compounded by Nigeria’s challenging operating environment, including high energy costs, prohibitive logistics expenses, exchange-rate volatility, and elevated interest rates.

“The cumulative effect has been rising production costs, shrinking margins, subdued investment appetite, and higher consumer prices,” he said.

Yusuf said available evidence suggested that sugar taxes delivered limited public health benefits unless embedded within broader, long-term lifestyle, behavioural, and structural interventions.

He added that in Nigeria, the rising incidence of diabetes and related non-communicable diseases was driven primarily by poor overall diet quality, particularly carbohydrate-heavy meals, physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles.

Other causes, he observed, included urban design that discouraged walking and cycling, genetic and hereditary factors.

Yusuf said that while taxation may marginally influence consumption patterns, it does not address these root causes.

“Conversely, the economic costs of additional taxation, higher consumer prices, reduced demand, job losses, and weakened industrial investment are immediate, tangible, and potentially severe,” he said.

Yusuf said a more sustainable path to public health outcomes would be for policymakers to prioritise evidence-based, inclusive and development-friendly alternatives.

They include lifestyle and nutrition education, community-based health awareness programmes, promotion of physical activity and exercise, encouragement of fruit and vegetable consumption.

Others, he said, were healthy food subsidies rather than punitive taxation and urban planning that supports walking, cycling and active transportation.

“These measures directly address the underlying drivers of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, deliver broader social benefits, and avoid undermining a critical pillar of Nigeria’s manufacturing and employment base.

“Nigeria’s economy remains in a delicate recovery phase.

“Introducing additional sugar-specific taxes at this time risks reversing recent industrial gains, weakening employment outcomes, and undermining the objectives of ongoing manufacturing-friendly fiscal reforms,” he said.

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NUJ FCT Chairman, Grace Ike, Hailed as Transformative Leader on Birthday

Published

6 minutes ago

March 24, 2026

Daily Mirror

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Grace Ike, has been described as a transformative leader in the media profession as she marks her birthday.

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, a former President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Evelyn Onyilo, commended Ike for breaking barriers and redefining leadership within the union.

Onyilo noted that Ike made history as the first female chairman of the NUJ FCT Council in over four decades, describing her emergence as a significant milestone for women in journalism.

She said Ike’s tenure had been marked by remarkable achievements, particularly in infrastructural development and the welfare of members, adding that her leadership had also strengthened participation and unity within the union.

“Her tenure has witnessed unprecedented development and effective mobilisation of members to actively participate in the affairs of the union, making her a foremost transformative leader of our era,” Onyilo said.

The publisher of Phenomenal People Magazine further described Ike as a media icon of immense value, praying for greater accomplishments, good health, and continued success in her leadership journey.

Onyilo congratulated Ike on her birthday and wished her many more years of impactful service.

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COAS Salutes Troops’ Sacrifice, Hosts Special Sallah Luncheon in Edo

Published

2 days ago

March 22, 2026

Daily Mirror

he Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, hosted a special Sallah luncheon for troops of the Forward Operations Base (FOB) Sobe in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State as part of activities marking the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

Speaking at the event, the COAS reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to improving troop welfare and boosting morale through strategic initiatives. He urged the soldiers to remain resolute in their duty to defend the nation’s peace, unity, and territorial integrity.

Represented by the Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, the Army Chief commended the troops for their resilience and professionalism despite operating under challenging conditions. He noted that their sacrifices and dedication embody the true spirit of the Nigerian soldier.

“They serve in difficult and often demanding environments, far from the comfort of their homes, yet remain steadfast in loyalty and professionalism.

Their endurance, sacrifice, and courage represent the true spirit of the Nigerian soldier,” he said, while praying for their safety and success in ongoing operations.

The COAS also lauded the continued collaboration between the Nigerian Army and other security and intelligence agencies, describing inter-agency synergy as critical to sustaining operational success and national stability.

He further expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his unwavering support and commitment to the welfare and operational effectiveness of the military, noting that the President’s leadership remains a strong source of motivation for the Armed Forces.

In his welcome address, the Commander, FOB Sobe, Lieutenant Colonel Stanley Agboro, described the COAS luncheon as a significant annual tradition held during major festive periods, including Eid-el-Fitr, Eid-el-Kabir, Easter, and Christmas.

He said the initiative is aimed at boosting troop morale, recognising their sacrifices, honouring fallen heroes, and strengthening camaraderie within the ranks.

Agboro appreciated the Brigade Commander and his entourage for visiting the base to celebrate with the troops. He also acknowledged the presence of the Vice Chairman of Owan West Local Government Area, Mr Dele Aleburu, who represented the council chairperson, Madam Joy Ohonyon, as well as the traditional ruler of Sobe, HRH Anthony Ero Aleburu I, and heads of other security agencies in the area.

The event featured a luncheon, cultural dance performances, comedy presentations, and morale-boosting songs by the troops.

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54 Garlands To A Performer: Happy Birthday To Governor Peter Mbah

Published

1 week ago

March 17, 2026

Daily Mirror

Happy Birthday To An Achiever, History Shall Be kind To You For Your Noble Strides In Leadership.

In the theatre of leadership, where promises often fade into the background of political routine, a few performers step onto the stage with clarity, purpose, and measurable impact. One such figure is Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State, whose journey continues to attract attention for its pace, precision, and ambition.

As he marks his 54th birthday today the 17th of March, it is fitting to string together not just words, but garlands—symbols of appreciation for a man whose governance style has leaned heavily toward results.
Governor Mbah’s leadership narrative is one defined by urgency.

From the outset, he signaled that governance would not be business as usual. His administration set bold targets, particularly in areas such as education, infrastructure, and economic expansion. Rather than dwell in rhetoric, his approach has emphasized timelines, deliverables, and accountability—traits more commonly associated with corporate leadership than traditional politics.

One of the most striking elements of his governance is his focus on education reform. By prioritizing smart schools and digital learning infrastructure, Mbah has demonstrated an understanding that the future of any society lies in how well it prepares its young minds. His policies reflect a belief that education must not only be accessible but also relevant in a rapidly evolving global landscape, little his signature refrain TOMORROW IS HERE resonates not only with Ndi’Enugu and the people of the South East but across the nation.

Infrastructure development under his watch has also taken center stage. Roads, transport systems, and urban renewal projects have been approached not just as physical upgrades, but as economic enablers. The philosophy is simple: when movement becomes easier, commerce thrives, and when commerce thrives, people prosper.

Beyond policy and projects, there is also the intangible quality of leadership presence. Governor Mbah has cultivated an image of a leader constantly in motion—inspecting, engaging, pushing. This has helped shape public perception of a government that is active and responsive, rather than distant and ceremonial.

At 54, the Governor stands at a point where experience meets momentum. There is enough behind him to assess his direction, and enough ahead to determine his legacy. The expectations are high, but so too is the energy he appears to bring to the role.

Birthdays often invite reflection, but they also offer an opportunity to look forward. For the people of Enugu State, this moment is not just about celebrating the man, but also about evaluating the journey so far and anticipating what lies ahead.

Fifty-four garlands, then, are not merely decorative—they represent milestones, challenges overcome, and ambitions still in pursuit. For a performer in the arena of governance, the applause is never final. It is earned, continuously, in the quiet execution of vision.

Happy Birthday, Governor Peter Mbah, indeed under your responsible and responsive watch over Enugu State TOMORROW IS HERE.

Okechukwu Nwafor
Concerned Professionals For Good Governance. (A Good Leadership Advocacy Group).