The Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) have strongly criticized the federal government’s allocation of N13 million to the Tobacco Control Fund (TCF) in the 2025 budget.
The health advocates are calling for a substantial increase in funding to combat the devastating impact of tobacco use in Nigeria, which claims 26,800 lives annually.
“The current allocation is grossly inadequate and reflects a lack of commitment to protecting public health,” said Executive Director for CAPPA, Akin ode Oluwafemi.
“We urge the federal government to increase the TCF to at least N300 million to effectively regulate tobacco consumption and reduce the burden of tobacco-related illnesses.”
The groups argue that the increased funding is necessary to support robust public health campaigns, research initiatives, enforcement efforts, and alternative livelihood programs for tobacco farmers.
“Tobacco use is a major public health concern in Nigeria, and the government must take decisive action to address it,” said the NTCA spokesperson.
According to him, “We cannot afford to wait any longer; the lives of millions of Nigerians are at stake.”
The call for increased funding comes as Nigeria struggles to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use, particularly among young people.
The federal government has been urged to reconsider the TCF allocation and prioritize the health and well-being of Nigerians.
