By Daniel Igboekwe
The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reassess the government’s relationship wit$1 Billion corporations that compromise public health and regulatory standards. This appeal follows Coca-Cola’s recent announcement of a $1 billion investment in Nigeria over five years, a pledge similar to one made three years ago under the Buhari administration, which remains unfulfilled.
In a statement signed by CAPPA’s Media and Communication Officer, Robert Egbe, the organization highlighted concerns that Coca-Cola’s investment promises are being used to distract from the company’s questionable trade practices. CAPPA cited findings from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), which revealed instances of deceptive marketing and non-compliance with consumer protection laws.
“This is the second time Coca-Cola has made a billion-dollar pledge to Nigeria, yet the first commitment remains unmet,” CAPPA noted. “The government’s enthusiasm for this new pledge, despite Coca-Cola’s poor track record, is troubling.”
CAPPA referenced a 2017 Lagos High Court ruling that revealed high levels of potentially harmful substances, including sunset yellow and benzoic acid, in Coca-Cola products, which could form a carcinogen when combined with Vitamin C. Despite the court’s order to add warning labels, Coca-Cola has yet to comply. Additionally, a recent FCCPC investigation found that the company misled consumers by falsely marketing a “Less Sugar” variant of its product.
CAPPA warned that the government’s endorsement of Coca-Cola, especially after the company’s regulatory violations, weakens its stance on public health and undermines regulatory enforcement. “The Nigerian government must ask itself what it truly gains by endorsing a company with a record of non-compliance,” CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, remarked.
Coca-Cola’s products, particularly sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), are known contributors to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and heart disease, which strain Nigeria’s healthcare system. CAPPA argued that while the financial investment may seem promising, the long-term public health risks outweigh the economic benefits.
The organization also expressed concern that the government’s close relationship with Coca-Cola could undermine the enforcement of Nigeria’s Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) tax, introduced in 2021 to reduce consumption of sugary drinks and address rising NCD rates. Public health advocates have called for an increase in the tax to offset inflation and further curb consumption.
CAPPA concluded by urging the Nigerian government to prioritize public health over corporate interests, particularly those with a history of regulatory violations. “President Tinubu’s administration has a duty to protect Nigerians, not act as a promoter of companies with unethical practices,” the statement added.