Experts challenge sugar narrative in Nigeria’s NCD crisis, urge broader focus on alcohol

A heated debate is emerging among Nigerian health and policy experts over what truly drives the country’s rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), as stakeholders call for a more holistic approach beyond sugar consumption.

This was the central theme at a one-day capacity-building workshop hosted by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) in Lagos, titled “Rethinking the NCD Crisis: A Holistic Approach to the Debate in Nigeria.”

During the event, Dr. Ajibola Arewa, Associate Professor of Finance at Lagos State University (LASU), challenged the popular claim—pushed by some international health organisations—that excessive sugar intake, especially from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), is the primary cause of the NCD surge in Nigeria.

Dr. Arewa cited data suggesting Nigeria’s sugar intake remains below global thresholds: “The average sugar consumption per day in Nigeria is about 21 grams, compared to 28 grams in the U.S., while the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a 25-gram benchmark. So, it’s inaccurate to single out sugar—especially SSBs—as the primary culprit,” he said.

Instead, he pointed to other overlooked contributors such as alcohol use, tobacco, sedentary lifestyles, and weak health systems.

“Non-communicable diseases are multifactorial,” he noted. “Focusing only on sugar reduction ignores other drivers like excessive alcohol intake and poor physical activity, which are more prevalent in Nigeria.”

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WHO data corroborates this perspective, listing harmful alcohol use, tobacco consumption, and physical inactivity as major risk factors alongside poor diets. Several Nigerian studies confirm that physical inactivity is widespread, especially among urban populations.

Dr. Arewa also criticized the Nigerian government’s inadequate implementation of health policies, citing poor funding, weak infrastructure, and lack of public awareness as factors that have strained tertiary hospitals and stalled preventive care efforts.

Adding her voice, Dr. Kanalio Yvonne Olalokun, Manager at the Nutrition Institute and Wyeth Nutrition Science Centre for Central & West Africa at Nestlé, stressed the need for data-driven health policy.

“We must rely on locally generated, evidence-based data to drive decisions. Without quality data, we risk making flawed interventions,” she warned.

She acknowledged persistent challenges such as weak ICT infrastructure, insufficient budget allocations for health research, and the lack of inter-agency collaboration. Dr. Olalokun also questioned the singular focus of fiscal policies like sugar taxes, urging policymakers to broaden their attention.

“While SSB taxes are popular, the impact of alcohol and tobacco on health outcomes is even more significant. Fiscal measures should reflect this reality.”

Participants at the forum called for stronger community engagement, fitness and wellness campaigns, and support for small businesses innovating healthier food options.

The workshop concluded with a consensus that addressing NCDs in Nigeria requires a multi-sectoral response that integrates health education, infrastructure investment, behavioural change initiatives, and evidence-based policymaking.