By Juliet Umeh
The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, has raised concerns about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s close ties with corporations that disregard Nigerian laws and public health. This warning follows Coca-Cola’s recent visit to reaffirm its $1 billion investment pledge to Nigeria over five years. CAPPA is cautioning the president to ensure that his administration’s relationships align with values of multilateralism, debt forgiveness, and fighting corruption as highlighted during his recent address at the UN General Assembly.
CAPPA accused Coca-Cola of exploiting investments to mask its history of dishonest trade practices, including violations of public health regulations. The organization emphasized the company’s failure to comply with court-mandated warnings about its products’ health risks and accountability for misleading marketing practices. Additionally, CAPPA warned that the cozy relationship between the Nigerian government and Coca-Cola could undermine the enforcement of the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages tax, crucial for reducing non-communicable diseases’ burden in the country.
Amid calls for ethical investments prioritizing public health over profit-driven motives, CAPPA urged President Tinubu’s administration to reconsider endorsing corporations with dubious track records, emphasizing the importance of defending Nigerians’ well-being above all else.
