A 20-minute documentary produced by the nonprofit Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) details the link between sugary drinks and rising cases of noncommunicable diseases in Nigeria.
The film shows how major beverage companies exploit weak health regulations to drive consumption through marketing and advertising.
Nigeria’s current tax on sugar-sweetened beverages is N10 per liter. Public health experts say the rate is too low to discourage overconsumption of products that can be addictive.
The documentary includes interviews with people living with diabetes, public health experts and policymakers, including Minister of State for Health Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako and Special Adviser to the President on Health Salma Ibrahim Anas.
At a screening Tuesday in Lagos, Nigerian Medical Association Chairman Dr. Saheed Babajide warned that complications from diabetes can lead to the loss of limbs, kidneys and other vital organs.
His remarks were echoed by Sam Eferaro of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, who said he has lived with diabetes for 30 years. He said he was recently diagnosed with a complication affecting his left eye. An injection he needs every three months to control the condition costs N500,000.
Eferaro questioned why the government continues to tax medications for diabetes, cancer and other conditions.
“Why would you tax medicine for the sick to develop the country?” he said.
Environmental expert Dr. Leslie Adogame said the soft drink manufacturing process affects the environment. He said plastics contain carbon and other hazardous chemicals that contribute to health crises, including cancer.
Physician Dr Goke Akinrogunde added that two-third of erectile dysfunction cases are patients with diabetes.
After the premiere, CAPPA said in a press statement that as sugary beverages become common in homes, schools and communities, Nigeria continues to see rising cases of diet-related illnesses, including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular disease.
“Blending expert analysis with personal stories and striking visuals, the documentary features perspectives from policymakers, medical professionals, NCD patients, traders, fishermen and university students to examine the growing public health crisis linked to excessive consumption of sugary drinks,” the group said.
It also exposes the environmental footprint of the beverage industry, from plastic pollution to resource-intensive production.
“Sweet Poison is an attempt to connect the dots,” said CAPPA Executive Director Akinbode Oluwafemi. “It combines medical evidence, lived experiences and on-the-ground realities to show how growing dependence on sugary drinks is quietly reshaping the nation’s health profile.”
The film also highlights CAPPA’s efforts to involve young people in policy advocacy at national and subnational levels.
At its core, the documentary questions whether Nigeria’s current sugar-sweetened beverage tax is fit for purpose. Introduced under the Finance Act 2021, the policy placed a 10-naira-per-liter excise tax on nonalcoholic, sweetened and carbonated drinks to reduce overconsumption and generate revenue for health programs.
CAPPA argues the tax’s design and scale have limited its effectiveness in changing consumer behavior or curbing harmful industry practices.
CAPPA calls for a stronger tax framework, including a 50% excise tax on the final retail price of sugar-sweetened beverages, or at least 20%, with part of the revenue earmarked for public health initiatives.
“With the burden of noncommunicable diseases rising and health care costs climbing, Nigeria cannot afford half-measures,” Oluwafemi said. “A stronger SSB tax is a fiscal tool and a necessary public health intervention.”
Guests at the screening included Dr. Saheed Balogun, Lagos chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association; diabetes lived-experience expert Ronke Opaleye; Diabetes & Limb Salvage Foundation founder Ms. Osarenkhoe Chima-Nwogwugwu; Stradev Nigeria CEO Dr. Leslie Adogame; and Sam Eferaro, publisher of Nigeria Health Online.
The documentary premiered on TVC News on May 5, 2026, and is airing on multiple platforms nationwide. It is also available on CAPPA’s official YouTube channel ( https://youtu.be/wHHBEEk22rY?si=276GX7N_upk0DnjA) and across its social media platforms.