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UK PACT unveils clean air, climate initiative

Michael Simire
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UK PACT unveils clean air, climate initiative

The United Kingdom Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) has unveiled a new project aimed at strengthening private sector capacity for climate and clean-air action in Nigeria.

The initiative, tagged “Transport Climate Action: Boosting Business Leadership for Clean Air in Nigeria”, was unveiled in Abuja on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

It seeks to reduce carbon emissions and accelerate low-carbon, inclusive economic growth, with a strong focus on the transport sector.

UK PACT
Dignitaries at the unveiling of the new UK PACT initiative, in Abuja

It brought together businesses, policymakers, regulators, financial institutions and civil society groups.

Dr Emmanuel Onwodi, Project Lead at Escher Silverman Global Air Pollution, said the intervention was driven by the rising burden of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

He said GHG was one of Nigeria’s most urgent economic and public health concerns, noting that more than 200,000 premature deaths occur annually due to poor air quality.

According to him, businesses are both victims and contributors to the crisis.

“The transport sector accounts for over 15 per cent of Nigeria’s greenhouse gas emissions but is ill-equipped to address the issues, including limited technical expertise, unclear regulatory pathways and restricted access to finance for clean technologies,” he said.

Gari Haq, Consortium Lead at the University of York, said the UK PACT project would tackle existing gaps by equipping private enterprises with training, tools and policy support for low-carbon operations.

He outlined UK PACT as a flagship UK government programme supporting partner countries to cut carbon emissions and drive inclusive growth.

Haq said the 15-month project would help businesses access climate finance and participate in voluntary carbon markets.

“It would also support the development of finance-ready Climate and Clean Air Action Plans, promote emissions-reducing practices aligned with Nigeria’s NDC 3.0 targets, and build understanding of regulatory frameworks such as the National Climate Change Fund.

“The project will also strengthen collaboration between private companies, regulators and financial institutions, and integrate Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion considerations into climate action,” he added.

The initiative is delivered in partnership with Consulting Engineers Group (CEG) and the SLOCAT Partnership on Sustainable, Low-Carbon Transport, alongside Nigerian partners Escher Silverman Global (ESG) and AP3 Advisory.

Mr. Ibrahim Shelleng, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Finance and Stakeholder Engagement, said climate change was now a lived reality across cities, farms, industries and communities.

He cited extreme heat in the north, flooding in coastal states and worsening air quality in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.

Shelleng said the challenges also present an opportunity to mobilise the creativity and dynamism of the private sector.

“Our industries, SMEs, financiers, manufacturers, agribusinesses, logistics companies and technology innovators have a central role in driving the transition to a cleaner, healthier and more resilient economy,” he said.

He added that the stakeholder gathering underscored that Nigeria’s climate and clean-air ambitions cannot be achieved without an empowered and committed private sector.

“This platform deepens understanding, builds capacity, shares practical tools and strengthens collaboration.

“It allows us to explore priority areas such as integrating climate-smart business practices, adopting clean-energy technologies and accessing climate finance, including carbon markets, green bonds and blended-finance instruments,” he said.

Shelleng said aligning private sector strategies with Nigeria’s national climate commitments would help reduce emissions, improve air quality and ensure competitiveness in a global economy increasingly driven by sustainability.

By Felicia Imohimi

CoP20: CITES decisions on trade regulation imminent for big cats, trees, sea cucumbers, sharks 

Michael Simire
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CoP20: CITES decisions on trade regulation imminent for big cats, trees, sea cucumbers, sharks 

Halfway through the 20th World Wildlife Conference, Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) are advancing decisions that will shape international trade regulation for big cats, tree and plant species, sea cucumbers, sharks, and more.

Science‑driven cooperation continues to guide nations toward shared solutions for conservation of species and the people who benefit from and rely on the sustainability of trade in them. With momentum building, Parties are preparing to finalise draft decisions and amended Resolutions for adoption in the closing plenary on December 4 to 5, 2025, where the Convention’s next three‑year agenda will be set.

CITES CoP20
Committee 1 plenary at CITES CoP20

Nearly 3,400 participants have joined so far, including close to 1,000 government representatives from 163 Parties, alongside 209 observer organisations, more than 100 media representatives and numerous local participants. Together, they have already addressed 105 agenda items, achieving consensus on many and voting 29 times where necessary.

Over 50 side events have complemented the negotiations, including the launch of new CITES e‑learning courses on InforMEA and trade sustainability assessment guidance, and updates from the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC).

CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero said: “This halfway point shows the energy and commitment of Parties, observers, and partners. As we move forward, we rely on Parties to maintain the same positive spirit and constructive energy in building consensus. With this collective determination, we are confident that the work can be completed on time and deliver meaningful outcomes for wildlife and people alike.”

Deliberations are proceeding in parallel within two Committees. Committee I, focusing on species‑related matters, began with African carnivores and terrestrial species, including lions, leopards, vultures, and the Joint CITES-CMS African Carnivores Initiative addressing cheetah, leopard, lion, and wild dog. Proposals on dorcas gazelle, saiga antelope, giraffe and okapi are under review. Plant species have featured prominently, with agreement on revised guidance for agarwood and progress on African and Neotropical trees, guided by range State priorities. 

The Committee I reviewed 10 proposals to amend the Appendices for plants, with ongoing debate on Brazil wood. Proposals concerning guggul, red doussié, African padauk, and Parlatore’s podocarp were rejected after voting. The adoption of Appendix I listing of the endemic and iconic Chilean palm was agreed by consensus. The Appendix II listings for two ponytail palms and four aloe species were also adopted. An amended annotation proposed for American ginseng was rejected.

Aquatic species discussions covered non‑detriment findings, stony corals, and queen conch. Proposals on nine aquatic species proposals were accepted, including transfer to Appendix I for manta ray and whale shark (consensus), and – after a vote – the Oceanic whitetip shark. The proposal to include all anguillid eels in Appendix II was not agreed in Committee I, but a Resolution was agreed, and this Resolution is applicable to all anguillid eels.

Zero annual export quotas were set for wild‑taken guitarfishes and wedgefishes already included in Appendix II, while school sharks and gulper sharks were agreed to be listed in Appendix II. Sea cucumbers saw mixed outcomes, with the Appendix II listing for Golden sandfish by consensus, therejection of a proposal to list six other species of sea cucumber and the adoption of new decisions to guide workshops on conservation priorities and enforcement.

Committee II, addressing implementation of the Convention, advanced administrative and financial matters, reaffirmed cooperation with UNEP, and tasked the budget working group with preparing recommendations for 2026–2028. Parties advanced several global policy matters, agreeing to enhance their work on CITES’ role in zoonotic disease risk mitigation.

Deliberations moved to the inclusion of references to the new marine biodiversity agreement for areas beyond national jurisdiction in the CITES Strategic Vision. Parties agreed to endorse stronger cooperation with MEAs and approved to expand translations of Resolutions and Decisions. The draft gender action plan was adopted, with further work scheduled intersessionally.

With regards to the engagement with indigenous peoples and local communities, Committee II agreed to defer terminology discussions pending work under the CBD glossary. Parties also agreed to publish the non-binding Guidance on the CITES website. Committee II debated the livelihoods agenda item; and discussion was deferred pending an in‑session document.

Elephant-related work progressed with the Committee noting the report of the Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) Programme, establishing an ETIS working group, and renewing support for both monitoring systems, updated stockpile provisions, and retirement of outdated measures such as mammoth ivory.

While revised measures on closure of domestic ivory markets did not advance, strengthened measures for unsecured stockpiles were agreed by the Committee II, alongside ongoing work concerning ETIS categorization, NIAPs, legal acquisition findings, and acceptable destinations. 

Further progress in Committee II included sharing best practices on demand reduction for illegal wildlife products, updated compliance measures on totoaba to reinforce national enforcement and local community engagement, and species‑specific progress: integrating cheetah issues into the Big Cats Task Force, expanding measures for Asian big cats, retaining leopard decisions, and new guidance on captive tiger management. Work also advanced on jaguar conservation, continued on great apes, and remains under discussion for saiga antelope.

There is a substantial agenda to get through still in the Committee stages. As the second week began on December 2, Parties worked to finalise draft decisions and amended Resolutions for adoption in plenary on December 4 and 5. The 80th meeting of the Standing Committee (SC80) will convene on the afternoon of December 5 to establish the intersessional work programme, guiding scientific, technical, and compliance‑related efforts until the next World Wildlife Conference (CoP21).

The progress achieved across both Committees demonstrates a shared determination to deliver meaningful outcomes for wildlife and for the communities who depend on it. Sustaining this cooperative spirit will be essential in the days ahead.

Tanzanian hip hop artist, Frida Amani, named UNEP Advocate

Michael Simire
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Tanzanian hip hop artist, Frida Amani, named UNEP Advocate

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, named Tanzanian hip hop artist, Frida Amani, as its first-ever Advocate for Ecosystem Restoration. The designation comes ahead of the seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly, in Nairobi.

With more than one million social media followers, Frida Amani is among East Africa’s most celebrated female rappers and media personalities. She has won multiple accolades, including the Music Cities Award – which recognises and celebrates the best uses of music to drive economic, social, environmental, and cultural development in cities and places worldwide – and the Orange Award in Tanzania. 

Frida Amani
Frida Amani

“Growing up, we saw nature as a great protector – providing water, food, shade, and meaning. We also watched it become increasingly vulnerable to climate change and unsustainable exploitation, resulting in floods and droughts. By joining the UN Environment Programme, I wish to inspire my fans to become part of a generation committed to ecosystem restoration. It is no longer enough to lament nature’s loss – we must bring it back. We are Generation Restoration,” Amani said.

Amani becomes UNEP’s first Advocate for Ecosystem Restoration. In this role, she will work to raise awareness and mobilise young people to prevent, halt, and reverse ecosystem degradation. At the midpoint of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, her voice is poised to strengthen efforts to rehabilitate degraded natural areas – from oceans to mountains and from cities to savannahs, grasslands, and forests.

“Frida sings, speaks, and acts for a healthy environment, so I am pleased to welcome her to the UNEP family,” said UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen. “Reflected in her work is a relentless passion for restoration, where care for people and nature go hand-in-hand, making her an inspiring role model for young people across Africa and beyond.”

Amani’s social and environmental activism is woven into many of her musical productions and performances. This includes songs such as Kisiki Hai (Famer-Managed Natural Regeneration in Swahili), the Performance for Nature event, the Mote Mama Gizani campaign for the health of pregnant women, as well as her role as Goodwill Ambassador for the Lead Foundation. Frida Amani has set up her ow foundation – the Amani foundation – through which she supports causes like the Performance for Nature concert held in Tanzania earlier this year.

Front-of-package labels: A vital tool for a healthier Nigeria

Michael Simire
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Front-of-package labels: A vital tool for a healthier Nigeria

Nigeria is grappling with a rising tide of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. These illnesses are often closely tied to unhealthy diets, particularly the excessive consumption of processed and packaged foods high in sugar, sodium (salt), and saturated fats.

The widespread availability, affordability, and aggressive marketing of these ultra-processed products continue to push more people toward obesity, metabolic complications, and other diet-related conditions, contributing to the 29 percent of all deaths in Nigeria now linked to NCDs.

Bukola Olukemi-Odele
Bukola Olukemi-Odele, food scientist and Programme Officer (Cardiovascular Health, Food Policy Program) at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)

In this context, consumers need clearer and more accessible information at the point of purchase about the nutritional content and health risks of the foods they are buying. Front-of-Pack (FOP) labels provides exactly this by offering quick, visible guidance that helps people identify foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. These labels steer consumers away from high-risk products and support healthier choices in the face of an escalating public health crisis.

FOP labels use simple, easy-to-understand graphics, symbols, or text placed prominently on the front of packaged food and drink products.  Unlike the detailed, often confusing “nutrition facts” tables found at the back of a product’s pack, FOP labels are designed for quick comprehension and bring the most important health information to where consumers actually look. They improve instant recognition of unhealthy products, even for consumers with low literacy levels or those shopping in a hurry.

Common examples around the world include warning labels such as black octagons stating, “HIGH IN SUGAR”, the Traffic Light System which uses red, amber, and green colours to show whether a product’s overall nutritional profile is poor, moderate, or healthier, and Nutri-Score which grades food from A to E using a colour coded scale.

This simplicity matters even more in places like Nigeria where shoppers are confronted with an overwhelming influx of foreign products, new brands, and aggressively marketed food ingredients competing for attention on already crowded shelves.

Presently, Nigeria relies on back-of-pack labelling, which is complex, small, and difficult for the average consumer to comprehend and interpret quickly. A clear and simple warning label, such as a bold black octagon that says, “HIGH IN SUGAR,” could make a decisive difference by cutting through marketing tactics and helping consumers immediately identify products that may harm their family’s health. This also strengthens the public’s right to make informed decisions about their food choices.

Beyond shifting consumer behaviour, FOP labels also push food manufacturers to reformulate their products. Companies often reduce sugar, salt, and saturated fat levels to avoid bearing a prominent “HIGH IN…” warning on their packaging, which in turn contributes to a healthier national food supply.

Research consistently shows that consumers from lower socioeconomic and education backgrounds often face the greatest barriers to understanding complex nutrition information. Clear and visually striking front-of-package (FOP) labels can help close this gap and serve as a vital tool for promoting health equity across Nigeria. By presenting crucial health information in an accessible and easy-to-understand format, these labels empower all Nigerians – regardless of their educational levels or background – to make healthier decisions.

The Nigerian government, through agencies like the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), must therefore prioritise an evidence-based policy on front-of-pack labelling, as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to protect its population.

It is time to move from complex back-of-pack data to simple, unmistakable warnings that protect consumers. A clear label on the front of every package is a powerful public health tool that can save lives, reduce pressure on our healthcare systems, and build a truly healthier Nigeria for generations to come.

By Bukola Olukemi-Odele, food scientist, and Programme Officer (Cardiovascular Health, Food Policy Programme) at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)

Every inch of land counts for survival of Small Island Developing States – UNCCD

Michael Simire
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Every inch of land counts for survival of Small Island Developing States – UNCCD

Every inch of land is vital for the survival of Small Islands Developing States (SIDS), which are facing growing impacts from harsher droughts and the loss of fertile soils according to an information brief launched during the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC23) in Panama. 

Prepared by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the brief warns that the SIDS’ land area affected by at least six months of extreme drought per year has increased to 17 per cent in the 2014–2023 period, up from 2 per cent between 1961–1970. Meanwhile, urbanisation, unsustainable agriculture and extractive industries are fueling the degradation of precious land in some of the smallest, more isolated and poorest territories on the planet, which are also some of the most vulnerable to climate change. 

Andrea Meza
UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary, Andrea Meza

SIDS are home to nearly 74 million people, around 1 per cent of the world’s population, but face unique social, economic, and environmental challenges: the loss of even tiny areas of productive land compromises their food, water and energy security; increases the transmission of infectious diseases; and undermines rural livelihoods, with women and girls being the hardest hit. Given the SIDS’ limited arable land and narrow resource base, every bit of land matters for the resilience of communities, economies and ecosystems; especially, in the face of climate-related hazards. 

UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary, Andrea Meza, said: “Small Island Developing States remind us that taking care of our land is an existential matter. We must urgently transform our food systems and align our policies to harness land as the basis for sustainable development, as a matter of security, and as a climate and biodiversity solution. As the world sees more extreme weather and climate events, it is imperative we invest in healthy land to reduce the vulnerability of our communities in SIDS and beyond.” 

Growing challenges 

The brief summarises information from recent assessments and scientific sources, including the UNCCD data dashboard, to outline the challenges and opportunities of SIDS in relation to land and drought. Globally, SIDS encompass 39 states and 18 territories across the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea (AIS). 

  • Food security: Food security in SIDS is challenged by the amount of arable land, costly food imports, and the triple burden of malnutrition, i.e., undernourishment, micronutrient deficiency, and obesity. In most SIDS, agricultural production is constrained by low soil fertility, high input costs, and exposure to droughts, cyclones, and salinisation, which make them unable to meet domestic food demand. Land degradation compounds an already fragile scenario. 
  • Land degradation: Unsustainable land and water management are increasing drought vulnerability in SIDS. Many land degradation processes in SIDS have their roots in the legacies of colonialism – particularly, cash crop plantations and forest industries, which displaced indigenous land use practices and led to tenure insecurity.  
  • Drought and water scarcity: A growing concern, especially in poorer, smaller or more isolated SIDS like Haiti, Martinique, Comoros, Marshall Islands and Guam.​​Five SIDS are experiencing water scarcity (less than 1,000 m³ per person per year), and an additional three face absolute water scarcity (less than 500 m³ per person per year).  
  • Biodiversity: SIDS cover less than 0.5 per cent of the planet’s surface area, but are home to over 20 per cent of global biodiversity. Biodiversity loss reduces soil fertility, pollination, water cycling, and coastal protection. In turn, that undermines ecosystem productivity and resilience, as well as food security and livelihoods. 
  • Public policies and data: Local institutions tend to lack enough resources and experts to integrate nature-based solutions into land management efforts. Building and retaining technical expertise and accessing high-resolution land cover data is key to advance sustainable land management and resilience. Eight of the 20 countries that top the Human Flight and Brain Drain Index are SIDS: Jamaica, Haiti, Guyana, Grenada, Cabo Verde, Samoa, Micronesia and Fiji. 
  • Finance: Only $487 million of the total development finance provided to SIDS between 2016 and 2023 was related to desertification, land degradation, and drought. Even so, this funding was unevenly distributed among SIDS, with five countries (Papua New Guinea, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Solomon Islands, and Fiji) accounting for 65 per cent of the total.  

Land use governance 

Land use governance is a challenge for SIDS. In the Caribbean, for example, tenure insecurity rooted in colonial times discourages investments in sustainable land and water management. That contributes to a vicious cycle of environmental degradation and poverty. 

In the Pacific, many communities kept the rights to their ancestral territories, but are losing already limited arable land to unplanned urban growth. According to the brief, legal safeguards for traditional governance systems and involving communities in land-use planning and enforcement are key to halting the trend.  

“Spatial planning is a powerful tool: it helps protect healthy land, reduces conflict over limited resources, and strengthens resilience to drought and climate change,” said Fred Nicholas, Project Officer for the National Environment Service in the Cook Islands. “But its success depends on government agencies, traditional leaders, and communities working together to sustainably manage land, aquifers, and coastal areas through a true ridge-to-reef approach.” 

Cost-effective interventions 

SIDS depend heavily on healthy landscapes to support key economic sectors like agriculture, fisheries and tourism. Today, 26 out of the 39 SIDS that are country Parties to the UNCCD have engaged in the process of setting Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets, including the Dominican Republic, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe and Papua New Guinea. This includes various approaches to protecting land and water resources and to building resilience in SIDS, such as: 

  • Integrated land use-planning: facilitates balanced management of limited land resources, while addressing the competing needs for housing, agriculture, nature conservation, and tourism. 
  • Indigenous farming and agroforestry practices: they are cost-effective ways to improve the SIDS’ food security, climate adaptation, and sustainable development.  For example, SIDS in all regions have traditional practices that are more resilient to droughts, floods and storms than industrial monocultures. Dual land use systems like agroforestry, agrivoltaics, and urban farming can safeguard ecosystem services and connectivity while meeting the demand for food. 

Cooperative efforts 

SIDS have a unified voice in multilateral dialogues, such as climate change negotiations. The UNCCD SIDS Forum Workshop and side event demonstrate how SIDS are prioritising land degradation and drought as part of their development agenda. Leaders at these meetings called for investments in land restoration, water and waste management, and underscored the need for integrated land-use planning as a matter of resilience and climate adaptation.

“SIDS know first-hand the brutal impacts of climate-related disasters, like the devastation hurricane Melissa recently caused in Jamaica,” said Calvin James, former head of PILSM and now coordinator of the UNCCD SIDS Forum. 

“We must speed up land and drought action in our territories by exchanging good practices, sharing lessons learned, and raising awareness of our unique challenges and opportunities,” he explained. “We see the SIDS forum as a milestone towards COP17, where we hope that Parties formally recognise Small Island Developing States as a unified voice.” 

The forthcoming Global Land Outlook on SIDS, which is expected to be published ahead of UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia, will provide a more detailed analysis of the unique land challenges and opportunities for building resilience in SIDS. 

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage tax: Which way to go?

Michael Simire
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Sugar-Sweetened Beverage tax: Which way to go?

Debate has intensified over the future of the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax. It has raised a question as to whether Nigeria should prioritise public health over economic benefits or vice-versa.

Introduced in 2022, the N10-per-litre SSB tax was framed as a dual-purpose tool, to generate revenue while reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Three years later, stakeholders remain deeply divided over whether the levy should be increased, maintained or suspended.

Muhammad Ali Pate
Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare

The debate  deepened when the Federal Government recently hinted about temporarily suspending the tax.

In the Bwari Area Council of the FCT, diabetes patients are bearing the brunt of rising treatment costs and circulation of fake medicines.

Mrs. Esther Ibrahim, a petty trader living with Type 2 Diabetes, says a vial of insulin now costs between ₦18,000 and ₦21,000, up from ₦2,500.

“How can an ordinary trader like me cope?” she asks.

Another diabetes patient, Mr. John Aliyu, has been forced by economic hardship to reduce his dosage and rely on herbal alternatives.

Both patients appeal for drug subsidies, action on counterfeit medicines, and better public awareness.

Manufacturers are delighted with the idea of suspending SSB tax, citing rising production costs and fears of job losses.

However, public health experts are pushing back, arguing that Nigeria cannot not afford to weaken a tool designed to curb obesity and diabetes.

At a Senate public hearing, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, argued for raising the tax to at least 20 per cent of retail price, with 40 per cent of proceeds ring-fenced for NCD prevention.

“Failing to act will saddle Nigeria with an overwhelming disease burden in the next decade,” he warned.

The Ministry of Finance and the Federal Inland Revenue Service seek balancing economic realities with health goals, noting inflationary pressures facing the beverage industry.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) warns that a higher tax will damage an already strained sector.

Mr. Adeyemi Folorunsho, a director representing MAN, notes that revenue in the non-alcoholic beverage sector dropped by 17–23 per cent in 2023 and 2024 due to inflation, forex shortages, and rising input costs.

Folorunsho also says sugar consumption fell by 16 per cent in 2023 and domestic sugar production dropped by 35 per cent, putting thousands of jobs across farming, transport, and retail  at risk.

“Nigeria has one of the lowest per-capita sugar consumption levels globally. A punitive tax is not the solution,” he argues.

The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association believes that further taxation can discourage investment.

However, health experts strongly believe that removing or weakening the tax will reverse gains made in curbing harmful dietary patterns.

Dr Abayomi Sarumi of the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa is convinced that the current N10 tax is too low to influence consumer behaviour because producers have largely absorbed the cost.

“SSB tax is not just another levy. It is meant to save lives,” Sarumi said.

He is of the opinion that raising the tax to N30 per litre can generate more than ₦700 billion annually while averting ₦3.5 trillion in future NCD-related treatment costs.

Clinical nutritionist, Mrs. Mercy Okoh, advises that the tax should be accompanied by nutrition education, school-based awareness, and affordable alternatives.

It is noteworthy that while adults drive the NCD burden, young people are the highest consumers of sugary drinks.

Some youths welcome the tax, while others worry about its affordability.

A 19-year-old student in Kubwa, Abuja, says he will not hesitate to reduce consumption if sugary drinks become more expensive.

“I take soft drinks almost every day. If they become more expensive, I will cut down.”

However, another student argues that taxing the drinks more won’t stop people from consuming them “but we need healthier and cheaper options”.

Countries that implemented strong SSB taxes, including Mexico, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, experienced declines in consumption and widespread product reformulation as well as generated new revenue for health programmes.

Analysts say Nigeria can achieve the same gains if revenues are transparently managed.

Consumer rights groups say Nigerians deserve clear accounting for SSB tax revenue.

Ms. Omei Bongos-Ikwue, a public health communications expert, suggests that revenues from the tax should be “logically and equitably” channelled into prevention, disease surveillance and access to essential care.

Dr Garba Alawode, a health economist and Co-convener of the UHC2023 Forum, says Nigeria faces tightening fiscal space, declining donor funding, and insufficient investment in health.

”Out-of-pocket spending accounts for more than 70 per cent of total health expenditure, and few Nigerians have health insurance.

“With GAVI preparing to withdraw support, Nigeria needs sustainable domestic funding.

“Earmarking SSB revenues offers a realistic pathway,” Alawode says. 

For a retired Chief Medical Officer, Dr Godswill Iboma, the tax is failing on both health and revenue fronts.

He argues that the tax punishes a single product category while ignoring other drivers of NCDs – high salt intake, refined carbs, sedentary lifestyles, genetics, etc. 

He recommends a tiered, sugar-content-based tax, stronger alignment of industrial and health policies, and transparent annual reporting on SSB tax utilisation.

The Senate has pledged to weigh all submissions carefully before presenting a harmonised draft bill as the debate draws emotions across health and manufacturing sectors, and finance and consumer groups.

Analysts are convinced that the decision will shape both public health and livelihoods, urging policymakers to carefully weigh submissions on both sides.

By Abujah Racheal, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Ogun urged to declare Ogijo community a contaminated site

Michael Simire
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Ogun urged to declare Ogijo community a contaminated site

The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has urged the Ogun State Government to declare the Ogijo community in Sagamu Local Government Area a “contaminated site”, following an investigation by the New York Times and a non-profit newsroom – The Examination, which revealed that indiscriminately sited lead-recycling factories have caused widespread lead poisoning in the community.

Aside from pollution of the soil and air in the environment, the investigation released on November 18, 2025, showed that factory workers operate under hazardous working conditions resulting in dangerously high blood lead levels. Every tested worker was found to be poisoned, with one recording a level as high as 38 micrograms per deciliter, considered severely elevated by World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.

Ola Oresanya
Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya

In a statement issued in Lagos, RDI laid the blame for the contamination of the environment solely on the door steps of the Ogun State Government, insisting that that decades of poor urban planning, coupled with lack of monitoring and effective regulation of the operations of the lead recycling plants have culminated in a dangerous interaction between the surrounding communities and dangerous chemicals from the recycling firms.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, who appeared on Television Continental on Monday, December 1, 2025, said the state government needed to confirm the “alleged lead poison” and would test 500 people to arrive at its own conclusions.

RDI Executive Director, Philip Jakpor, said: “While the Ogun State Government is still describing the findings in Ogijo as an allegation, we must not lose sight that the abdication of responsibility by the state in regulating the activities of the recycling firms is the cause of the entire crisis in the first place. The flurry of face-saving activities that they have been embarking upon since the New York Times report was published, is like trying to shut the barn after the horse has escaped.”

Jakpor alerted that the scale of the lead poison may be far worse than reported even as he demanded that the state government must ensure that the environment and health audits it is carrying out must be extensive, thorough, transparent and made public.

“The Ogijo residents and affected workers in the identified firms deserve nothing but a comprehensive health and environment audit. We demand that the tests adhere to the global best standard as anything short of that will not be accepted.”

He said that the shutting down of the operations of seven lead-acid battery recycling firms in the community is a good move but urged the state government to refuse any pressure that would deter it from carrying out a detailed investigation of the situation in the community.

“Ogijo should be declared a contaminated site. We have said it time and again that the quest for profits at the expense of the people will always lead to systemic dangers, environmental degradation, a weakening of social structures and, in this case, pure disregard for human life and safety.

“Officials of agencies of government found culpable of dereliction of duty in relation to monitoring and regulating the activities of the identified firms should be appropriately sanctioned. In the same vein, firms found culpable of willful exposure of Nigerians to hazards in their production processes and management of waste must be shut and made to bear the full cost of the fallouts,” Jakpor insisted.

SNEPCo wins SERAS awards for Health/Wellbeing as Vision First initiative reaches thousands

Michael Simire
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SNEPCo wins SERAS awards for Health/Wellbeing as Vision First initiative reaches thousands

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) won an award for “Promotion of Good health/Wellbeing” at The SERAS Africa Sustainability Awards 2025 in Lagos at the weekend.

The recognition came as the latest outreach of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC)/SNEPCo Vision First initiative held in Asaba, Delta State from November 17 to 22, 2025, reaching a total of 6,538 individuals since the inception of the programme in 2022.

The SERAs Africa Sustainability Awards, which began in 2007, recognise achievements of individuals and organisations in corporate social responsibility. SNEPCo was honoured for investments in health, one of many high-impact projects the pioneer deep-water company has implemented since it commenced production at the Bonga field in 2005.   

SNEPCo
L-R: Social Investment Advisor, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Lawretta Ehebha; SNEPCo’s Policy & Advocacy, Senior Advisor, Elohor Abu and SNEPCo’s Social Investment Advisor, Ayobami Ikuemonisan during the 19TH SERAS award ceremony in Lagos

Founder of the SERAS Awards, Ken Egbas, said at the award ceremony: “Tonight, we celebrate the organisations that are not only doing well but doing good,” commending the support which has made the event the gold standard for sustainability recognition in Africa.

“We are pleased at the recognition of our modest efforts to make life more meaningful for the people” commented SNEPCo Managing Director Ronald Adams. “The award is also a tribute for the support of NNPC Upstream Investment Services (NUIMS) and our co-venture partners – Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited, TotalEnergies Nigeria, and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited.”

The Vision First initiative is the flagship of SNEPCo’s broader Health-in-Motion programme, and the outreach in Asaba was the fifth, and first outside Lagos.

Of the 1,927 who registered, more than 1,300 received consultation for ailments such as hypertension, diabetes and malaria, while 174 were operated for cataract and pterygium with nearly 1,500 given eyeglasses and eye drops. The programme was delivered in collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Health, Aniocha North Local Government Council and a Jos-based NGO, Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation.

SNEPCo Managing Director, represented by Senior Asset Manager, Bolanle Odunayo-Ojo, said: “Through free eye screenings, treatments, and surgeries, we are working to restore sight, renew hope, and reaffirm our commitment to the health and dignity of every individual.”

In a goodwill message delivered by Gloria Mok, State Coordinator, Emergency Ambulance Service (DELSEAS) & Focal Person, Eye Health Programme, Ministry of Health, the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Joseph Onojae, said: “We are grateful to NNPC/SNEPCo for sponsoring this programme and adding Delta State in their corporate social responsibility agenda.”

Prof Olukorede Adenuga, Executive Director, Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, noted: “Investing in eyecare and carrying out blindness prevention programmes have been shown to have the highest returns compared with investments in other area of healthcare; therefore, the Vision First program is a laudable initiative.”

Among other milestones recorded by the programme since 2022, nearly 5,000 prescription glasses have been dispensed at no cost with 4,869 people receiving essential medications, and 667 people undergoing vision-restoring procedures including cataract removals to other corrective surgeries.

Prohibition of ivory trade: Charting a new path in elephant conservation

Michael Simire
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Prohibition of ivory trade: Charting a new path in elephant conservation

Now that a proposal to relax the prohibition on commercial trade in elephant ivory has been rejected – once again- at the latest conference of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, we have an extraordinary opportunity to chart a new and exciting path for elephant conservation across Africa.

Collectively we have over a century of experience, working to understand elephant ecology and conservation, in defining and regulating sustainable trade, and in developing plans and policies to protect wildlife. We believe African elephant range states should now harness a broader suite of policy tools to finally provide the protection and generate the financing this keystone species deserves.

The EPI Foundation
Clockwise from top left: Professor Lee White CBE; Sharon Ikeazor CON and John Scanlon AO. Photo credit: The EPI Foundation

On November 29, 2025, the overwhelming majority of countries at the CITES conference voted against the proposal by the southern African nation of Namibia for the ivory trade ban to be partially lifted so its government could sell its stockpile of ivory.

We were pleased to see that delegates from most African countries, and the majority of other countries across the world, did not want to put at risk the huge progress made since 1990 when CITES banned commercial trading in African elephant ivory; and similar resolutions have been rejected at the last three CITES gatherings. The evidence from previous partial exemptions to the 1990 ban is clear: a trickle of legal trade leads to a deluge of elephant blood as poachers target the animals for their white gold.

However, as former politicians and policy makers who have had to balance environmental, economic and electoral concerns, we understand Namibia’s predicament. Its great achievements in conservation and in protecting elephants across its territory, are hugely expensive, and resources are tight. But the true value of elephants is not in their ivory, and the short-term financial benefits of sales are not the answer.

As so often in public policy the key here is “monetising”: creating value out of an asset. For too long the sole focus for creating value out of elephants was through selling their tusks. A high price for ivory has always led to a surge of illegal killing, illegal trade, and laundering.

This trade resulted in the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of elephants, in Africa’s savannas in the 1970s-1980’s and subsequently in the forests, between 2007-2015. The second wave of killing resulted in the loss of upwards of 70% of forest elephants.

Elephant poaching is generally carried out by transnational criminal networks. It undermines governance and security, degrades ecosystems, and destroys sustainable, tourism-based economies. Furthermore, the forest elephant in particular is a critical part of the Congo basin rain forest ecosystem.

An elephant is a remarkable value-adding creature, working as an unpaid landscape architect. It leaves in its wake a trail of environmental benefits: its dung, the seeds it spreads, the soil it shifts, the biodiversity it catalyses, the tree species distribution it impacts, the winnowing out of less carbon absorbent plant life, the boosting of the above-ground biomass.

And this rich, valuable, transformative trail does not just run for thousands of looping kilometres during an animal’s life. It has an impact long after each individual animal has died.

Those of us who have spent time in the Congo basin can tell the difference between a forest with an active elephant population and one without. The level of life, of insect activity, the shape of the trees, even the light itself, is the difference between a full colour photograph and one in black and white. You might not see the forest elephant – they are famously good at ghosting away into thin air – but you see their rich impact.

Scientifically, there is research that suggests, for example, that a single forest elephant drives carbon capture increases worth $1.75 million. That is one helluva a landscape gardener!

This figure alone is extraordinary. Like all good science, this research begs more questions, demands more work, opens more avenues to explore. We need similar research on African savanna elephants that inhabit more open, grassland environments, not least in Namibia. But even if this figure is proven to be out by an order of magnitude, the value to the planet of an elephant alive is unequivocally and demonstrably many times more than its value dead as a source of ivory.

Furthermore, elephants are the biggest attraction of Africa’s wildlife tourism industry, estimated to generate over $30 billion annually and to employ over 3.5 million people.

History has taught us the high costs of reopening the commercial trade in ivory. Instead, let us forge a different path, working with Namibia and all elephant range states, and find creative ways to monetise the many benefits we derive from these magnificent animals.

By Professor Lee White CBE (Trustee of the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation, a pan-African alliance of 26 nations working to protect the elephant population and former Minister of Water, Forests, Sea and Environment of the Gabonese Republic), John Scanlon AO (CEO of the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation and former Secretary General of CITES) and Sharon Ikeazor CON (Chair of the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation and former Minister of State for Environment, Federal Republic of Nigeria)

NCF, Ford Foundation call for policy on plastic bag charges

Michael Simire
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NCF, Ford Foundation call for policy on plastic bag charges

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), in partnership with the Ford Foundation, has urged the Federal Government to introduce policies mandating supermarkets to channel proceeds from plastic bag charges to climate financing.

The NCF Director-General, Dr Joseph Onoja, made the call at the Youth-Focused Climate Event on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Ibeju-Lekki in Lagos.

Onoja was represented at the event by the NCF Programme Development Manager, Mr Joshua Danzi.

Plastic bags
Plastic bags

Onoja noted that climate change was already reshaping Nigeria’s environment, affecting farmlands, waterways, and coastal communities.

He observed that many supermarkets and restaurants have begun charging customers for plastic bags, but without a structured government mandate on how the collected funds should be used.

“These charges should not just serve as revenue for businesses.

“They must be directed into climate financing or environmental sustainability projects.

“Nigeria, as a signatory to the Paris Agreement, must ensure that every effort contributes to long-term climate solutions,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria needs structured policies especially on plastic usage to strengthen climate financing and secure environmental sustainability for future generations.

He underlined the importance of grassroots engagement to curb plastic pollution in the country.

Onoja noted that the collaboration with the Ford Foundation aims to make climate education more relatable, especially for young people in vulnerable communities.

He also highlighted the need for stronger national policy direction, particularly regarding plastic pollution.

The event was organised to inspire young environmental advocates through sports, art, and creative expression.

It was also part of activities to mark the Ford Foundation’s 65th anniversary.

The event gathered schoolchildren, teachers, community leaders, and environmental advocates for a day of interactive sessions.

This is aimed at deepening awareness about climate change and empowering young people to become frontline voices in climate justice.

A climate advocate, Mr. Shittu Usman, presented a detailed talk on the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity, rising fire outbreaks, and their links to global warming.

Student voices dominated the programme, reinforcing the urgency of the climate crisis.

Mr. Kasheen Abdulrasheed of Community Junior High School, Ibeju-Lekki, emphasised that young people must take proactive steps to protect the environment, starting with reducing plastic waste.

Miss Elizabeth Lawal of Magbon Alade Junior Grammar School, Ibeju-Lekki, urged policymakers to stop deforestation, protect forests and oceans, and enforce regulations on waste disposal.

Students from Refiners School, Lekki, presented “The Cry of the Waters,” a gripping narrative about marine pollution and community responsibility.

The competitive segments added energy to the day.

Students described the programme as transformative, with Miss Annu Akinwalere of Magbon Alade Junior Grammar School noting that the outreach had helped them understand climate issues more clearly and inspired them to act.

By Olaitan Idris

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