Expert Warns: Sugary Drinks Linked to Rising Deaths as Nigeria Consumes 54 Billion Litres

Health

Expert Warns: Sugary Drinks Linked to Rising Deaths as Nigeria Consumes 54 Billion Litres

A public health expert has sounded the alarm on the growing health crisis linked to Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) consumption in Nigeria, warning that these drinks are silently fueling an epidemic of chronic diseases across the country.

In an exclusive interview with BenriNews, Abayomi Sarumi, Associate Director at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), revealed that Nigeria has become one of Africa's largest consumers of sugary drinks, with over 54 billion litres consumed in 2024 alone.

The Hidden Dangers in Every Bottle

"SSBs are drinks that contain added sugars such as sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, or other sweeteners like honey and molasses," Sarumi explained. "Examples include sodas, fruit drinks, energy drinks, and sports drinks. These drinks are full of sugar and give the body far more energy than it needs."

According to the health expert, an average bottle of SSB contains nearly 14 cubes of sugar, significantly exceeding the daily sugar intake recommended by health professionals. This excessive sugar consumption triggers dangerous health consequences.

"This excess sugar is dangerous to the body. It causes a sudden rise and crash in blood sugar levels, leading to fatigue, mood swings, and over time, serious health problems like heart disease, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes," he warned.

"All these outcomes are risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) which are now responsible for more than 30% of total deaths in Nigeria," Sarumi added.

Alarming Consumption Rates

The health expert highlighted a troubling trend in Nigeria's consumption patterns. "For more than 4 years, it was reported that Nigeria was the fourth largest consumer of SSBs, with 38 million litres consumed. In April 2025, ahead of convergence of food and beverages companies who now target Nigeria for its young and large population, the organisers informed members of the press that Nigerians consumed over 54 billion litres of SSBs in 2024."

This dramatic increase coincides with rising rates of fast food and processed snack consumption, contributing to what Sarumi describes as "a diet-related disease explosion."

"We've seen more than 150% increase in cardiovascular diseases in the last decade, with over 27.5 million Nigerians living with hypertension as of 2022. And with poor diets, tobacco, and alcohol use, the World Health Organization (WHO) says 22% of Nigerians now face the risk of dying early from non-communicable diseases," Sarumi warned.

Awareness Gap and Industry Influence

Despite the severity of the situation, most Nigerians remain unaware of the direct link between sugary drinks and long-term illnesses. "From our interactions, many people don't realise just how dangerous SSBs can be," Sarumi noted.

He pointed to cultural factors that complicate the issue: "There are even cases where patients are told by health workers to take sugary drinks before using medication. In a religious and cultural society like ours, many see diabetes or heart disease as spiritual attacks, not linked to their diet."

The food industry's aggressive marketing tactics particularly target young people, according to Sarumi. "These products are cheap, everywhere, and heavily advertised. They are shown as symbols of fun, status, or success, without any warning about their dangers."

"The companies behind SSBs also position themselves as 'friends of society' through Corporate Social Responsibility programmes, which makes it harder to question their products," he added.

Solutions and Policy Recommendations

To address this growing health crisis, Sarumi advocates for a comprehensive approach centered around a strong SSB tax. "A good SSB tax should not only reduce intake but also fund healthcare, especially for people living with diabetes and other diet-related conditions," he explained.

"Government must use the tax money for public health campaigns to educate citizens," he emphasized.

Sarumi also recommended additional measures including: