Dr. Ajibola Arewa to Journalists: “Sugar Tax Alone Won’t Solve Nigeria’s Health Crisis”

Dr. Ajibola Arewa

At a media workshop held on Friday at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Ikeja, Lagos, public health expert Dr. Ajibola Arewa urged Nigerian journalists to dig deeper in their coverage of the country’s rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs). He cautioned against narrowing the national health narrative to just sugar consumption, stressing that the real crisis lies in poor lifestyle choices, weak systems, and neglected infrastructure.

“We are blaming sugar for a multi-headed health crisis,” Dr. Arewa said. “The real problem runs deeper, in our broken health systems, economic realities, and lack of holistic policies.”

The workshop, hosted by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria, brought together media professionals, public health stakeholders, and development partners to reframe the national dialogue around NCDs.

Nigeria Consumes Less Sugar Than the West — But Faces Rising NCDs

Dr. Arewa highlighted data from the World Health Organization showing Nigeria’s average sugar consumption stands at 21 grams per day — far lower than the United States (78g) or the United Kingdom (58g). Yet, deaths from NCDs in Nigeria have risen from 24% in 2011 to 29% in 2021.

“If we’re consuming less sugar but getting sicker, we must look elsewhere for answers,” he said.

What’s Really Fueling the NCD Crisis?

According to Dr. Arewa, focusing solely on sugar creates a false sense of security. He identified the true drivers of NCDs as:

• Urban lifestyle shifts that encourage physical inactivity
• Inadequate public health education
• Lack of access to affordable preventive healthcare
• Overburdened health infrastructure, with only one doctor per 5,000 citizens

“It’s malicious amnesia to forget these realities while scapegoating sugar,” he emphasized.

Call to Journalists: Be More Than Messengers

Dr. Arewa challenged media professionals to elevate public health reporting by asking critical questions and demanding data-driven accountability.

“You are not just reporters — you are gatekeepers of truth,” he said. “Don’t subsidize half-truths. Ask the questions that make policymakers uncomfortable.”

He urged journalists to move past headlines focused only on taxation and explore comprehensive solutions.

A More Holistic Approach to Health Policy

To address NCDs effectively, Dr. Arewa recommended:

1. Nationwide public health campaigns on healthy lifestyles
2. Strengthening healthcare access and early screening systems
3. Providing incentives for food and beverage companies to reduce sugar voluntarily
4. Offering safety nets for small businesses affected by new health taxes

He noted that while the sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax may raise government revenue, there is no compelling local evidence that it has significantly reduced NCDs.

“Journalists Must Change the Narrative”

Dr. Arewa concluded with a direct appeal to the media:

“We need a shift in thinking. Sugar taxes alone won’t solve a health crisis built over decades. Journalists must help redirect the national conversation to the root causes.”

The BJAN-hosted workshop ended with a call to action for the Nigerian press: amplify truth, challenge assumptions, and spark reforms that go beyond taxation to tackle the core of Nigeria’s health challenges.