A public policy and advocacy organisation, Gatefield, has called on the federal government and relevant agencies to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of the newly approved Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax health fund.
The call followed the Senate’s approval of reforms to the SSB tax, establishing a dedicated N108.6 billion health fund to tackle diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Though Gatefield described the approval as a major milestone for public health financing, it stated that the success of the reform depends on its implementation and measurable outcomes.
According to the Lead, Gatefield Health, Longevity and Resilience Practice, Omei Bongos, the reform will only achieve its purpose if it reduces the financial burden on Nigerians living with diabetes and other chronic illnesses. Bongos noted that following the passage of the reform, transparency and accountability must guide implementation to save lives.
Highlighting the severity of out-of-pocket healthcare spending, she explained that Gatefield-supported research showed that the poorest Nigerians would require over 600 per cent of their annual income to afford basic diabetes treatment. Bongos added that evidence also revealed a shift in healthcare patterns, with fewer patients seeking routine treatment while more cases emerged in emergency rooms due to delayed diagnosis and worsening health outcomes.
Lead Strategist at Gatefield, Adewunmi Emoruwa, further noted that proceeds from the sugar tax would support treatment subsidies, prevention programmes and efforts to reduce healthcare costs for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. According to Emoruwa, the reform replaces the previous flat N10 per litre levy with a percentage-based tax system designed to preserve value against inflation and guarantee sustainable funding.
He further urged the authorities to publish clear implementation guidelines, disclose revenues and expenditures regularly, establish oversight mechanisms and involve civil society and health professionals in monitoring the fund.
