CAPPA Unveils ‘Sweet Poison’ Documentary, Raises Alarm Over Dangers Of Sugary Drinks

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The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has launched a new documentary titled Sweet Poison, drawing attention to the growing consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) in Nigeria and the associated health and environmental concerns.

The 20-minute documentary was unveiled during a media screening in Lagos on Wednesday.

According to the non-governmental organisation, the film examines how producers of ultra-processed foods and sugary beverages have embedded their products into daily Nigerian life through extensive advertising and market expansion, despite mounting public health implications.

In a statement issued after the premiere, CAPPA expressed concern that sugary drinks have become increasingly common in homes, schools and communities across the country, contributing to the rise in non-communicable diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular conditions.

The organisation explained that the documentary combines expert opinions, human stories and visual storytelling to explore the worsening health crisis associated with excessive intake of sugary beverages.

Contributors featured in the film include policymakers, healthcare professionals, people living with non-communicable diseases, traders, fishermen and university students.

Beyond the health concerns, the documentary also examines the environmental impact of the beverage industry, including plastic waste pollution and resource-heavy manufacturing processes.

Speaking on the project, CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said Sweet Poison was designed to reveal the hidden consequences of Nigerians’ growing dependence on sugary drinks.

According to him, the documentary brings together scientific evidence, personal experiences and realities from communities to demonstrate how sugary beverages are influencing the nation’s health outcomes.

The film also highlights CAPPA’s campaign for stronger youth participation in policy advocacy at both national and state levels.

A major focus of the documentary is Nigeria’s Sugar-Sweetened Beverage tax policy. Introduced under the Finance Act 2021, the policy imposed a N10 per litre excise duty on sweetened and carbonated non-alcoholic drinks to discourage excessive consumption and generate funds for health-related interventions.

However, CAPPA argued that the current tax structure has not been strong enough to significantly influence consumer habits or address harmful practices within the beverage industry.

The organisation is advocating a revised framework that would impose a 50 per cent excise tax on the final retail price of sugary drinks, or at least a minimum of 20 per cent, while ensuring that part of the revenue generated is directed toward public health programmes.

Oluwafemi stressed that Nigeria must adopt stronger measures as cases of non-communicable diseases continue to increase alongside rising healthcare costs.

Those present at the screening included Dr. Saheed Babajide, Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association in Lagos; diabetes advocate Ronke Opaleye; Founder of the Diabetes & Limb Salvage Foundation, Osarenkhoe Chima-Nwogwugwu; Chief Executive Officer of Stradev Nigeria, Dr. Leslie Adogame; and Sam Eferaro, publisher of Nigeria Health Online, among others.

Sweet Poison first aired on TVC News on May 5, 2026, and is currently being broadcast on several media platforms nationwide.

The documentary is also available on CAPPA’s official YouTube channel and across its social media platforms.

As discussions around nutrition, food systems and public health gain traction in Nigeria, the documentary seeks to spark broader conversations and encourage policymakers, media organisations and citizens to confront what CAPPA describes as a growing but often overlooked crisis.