News
Tobacco Control Act: CAPPA calls for digital marketing regulations
Mariam Sanni
A Civil Society Organization, CSO , known as Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa( CAPPA), has called for explicit provisions to regulate digital marketing comprehensively.
The Senior Programme Manager, Policy and Research, CAPPA , Zikora Ibeh while briefing pressmen in a media briefing held in Abuja, explained that there should be penalties for platform and third – party vendors facilitating the promotion or sale of new and emerging tobacco products online .
She noted that the organization acknowledges the recent efforts to review the National Tobbaco Control Act, 2015.
Ibeh maintained that any review must uphold the protection of public health, strengthen regulatory oversight, and decisively close the gaps that allow the tobacco industry to continue exploiting vulnerable populations in Nigeria .
It could be recalled a public hearing was held last week at the House of Representatives to discuss two proposed Bills aimed at amending the National Tobacco Control Act(NTCA) 2015, titled “House Bill(HB) 47 and HB 1151.
According to her, HB 1151, which seeks to impose stiffer penalties for violations of smoking regulations, suffers from a fundamental flaw in misrepresenting the titles of the Principal Act and the referenced Sections for amendments.
She added that the HB 47, which aims to cure certain defects in the NTCA 2015, ensure its effective implementation, as well as address the lacuna that May exploited by the tobacco industry in Nigeria .
She stated the CSO have recommended its intent but highlighted some gaps and areas that requires strengthening.
“ The increase influence of digital platforms in promoting emerging products poses a high threat to public health, particularly as these channels such as Instragram, Twitter and Facebook, amongst another’s, often bypass traditional restrictions and target minors.
“ CAPPA calls for explicit provisions to regulate digital marketing comprehensively , with penalties for platforms and third-party vendors facilitating the promotion of sale of new and emerging tobacco products online.
“We urged the Nigerian Government and public health authorities to rigorously enforce Section 18 of the National Tobacco Control Act, ensuring that all interactions with the tobacco industry are transparent and strictly regulatory,” she stated.
Ibeh charged the federal government to strengthen the role of the ministry of health and social welfare as the leading body to coordinate Tobacco Control Efforts and Maintaining Oversight.
Furthermore, the Executive Director of CAPPA, Akinbode Oluwafemi, in his welcome address at the press briefing stressed the need to reinforce Nigeria’s tobacco control framework cannot be overstated.
He noted that young Nigerians are increasingly being initiated into consuming these emerging tobacco and nicotine products disguised as modern and trendy altern
News
Ogunlesi backs Tinubu reforms as FIRS chairman Adedeji highlights export-led economy
Joel Ajayi
After a high-level meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Nigerian-born global investor Adebayo Ogunlesi expressed renewed confidence in the country’s economic reforms, indicating potential mega investments across energy, aviation, and port sectors.
He was joined in that optimism by Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who stressed that the reforms were laying the groundwork for an export-driven economy.
Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Ogunlesi praised the sweeping policy changes under Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of subsidies, tax reforms, and the revival of a refinery already exporting aviation fuel.
“We had an excellent meeting where we discussed how to put Nigeria front and center for international investment. The President was very encouraging, and we shared useful suggestions on driving economic growth,” Ogunlesi said.
Although he declined to reveal specific details, Ogunlesi confirmed that his firm is actively investing in Nigeria and assessing new opportunities.
“Watch this space. Nigeria is not yet the most exciting investment destination, but that’s what we are working on,” he teased.
Pressed on the sectors of interest, Ogunlesi highlighted energy, gas, aviation, ports, and renewables. Drawing on his firm’s experience with LNG projects in Texas and Australia, he noted Nigeria’s massive untapped gas reserves.
On aviation, he acknowledged his reputation as “the guy who bought Gatwick Airport” and signaled interest in similar ventures locally.
He also admitted that one of his companies operates ports in Cotonou and Lomé but none in Nigeria, a point Tinubu reportedly challenged him on.
“He forgave me but said, ‘you have to bring port investment to Nigeria,’” Ogunlesi recounted with a smile.
International investor Hakeem Bello-Osagie, who was also present, underscored the importance of diaspora participation in Nigeria’s growth story.
“When Nigerians at home and abroad invest in Nigeria, it sends a strong signal to the world,” he said, lauding Tinubu’s policies for making the country “investable.”
Echoing the sentiment, FIRS chairman Adedeji described the reforms as the foundation for an export-led economy.
“We’ve done the fundamentals, and now it is time to deliver growth,” he said.
With global players signaling confidence, the momentum for Nigeria’s economic repositioning is gaining ground, setting the stage for transformative investments in key industries.
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