The Federal Government is considering the introduction of a public health tax on products such as sugar-sweetened beverages, tobacco, and alcoholic items as part of renewed efforts to tackle the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria.

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adekunle Salako, disclosed this in Abuja during the 2nd International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa (ICPPA 2025), themed “Advancing Implementation of PEN-Plus for Severe NCDs in Africa: Technical Innovations, Operational Insights, and Scalable Solutions.”

He explained that proceeds from the proposed tax would be channeled into health programmes targeting the prevention and control of severe NCDs, including Type 1 Diabetes, Sickle Cell Disease, and Rheumatic Heart Disease, with a goal of reducing premature deaths from these diseases by at least 33 percent by 2030.

According to Salako, PEN-Plus aims to decentralize the management of NCDs by equipping first referral level facilities to provide diagnosis, treatment, counselling, and preventive care.

Also speaking, Acting Director for NCDs at WHO Africa, Dr. Akpaka Kalu, pointed out that Nigeria has the highest number of severe NCD cases in the region, largely due to its population size. He emphasised the critical need for stronger health systems to address the growing prevalence of diseases like Type 1 Diabetes, Sickle Cell Disease, and Rheumatic Heart Disease.