Nigeria strengthens the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

During the 11thAt the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Nigeria presented new tobacco control measures, including strengthened national policies, implementing legislation, and a significant penalty against a tobacco manufacturer that violated existing provisions.[1]. The Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, presented these developments in Geneva and reaffirmed Nigeria's support for the African group's common position and for respect for the implementation of the measures of the FCTC, despite very pronounced interference in the country.

Nigeria claims progress in the fight against tobacco

The minister highlighted the progress made since COP10 in Panama, particularly in the prevention and regulation of tobacco use. Nigeria became the first African country to complete the second edition of the Global Tobacco Survey of Adults (GATS 2025).

The new results show a decrease in daily tobacco consumption among adults compared to 2012, as well as a reduction in secondhand smoke exposure at home and in public places. The percentage of smokers reporting having considered quitting due to health warnings on cigarette packs increased from 26.7% in 2012 to 43.3% in 2025.

The country is implementing the key measures of the FCTC at the national level.

To strengthen the implementation of the treaty, the government has adopted several national plans covering communication, law enforcement and strategic coordination for the period 2024–2028, including the National Strategic Action Plan on Tobacco Control (2024-2028), the National Communication Strategy on Tobacco Control (2024-2028) and the National Law Enforcement Plan on Tobacco Control (2024-2028).

Under Article 19 of the FCTC, which addresses the legal and civil liability of the tobacco industry for its harm to public health, Nigeria has fined British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) $110 million (€95 million) for violations of national consumer protection and tobacco control laws in 2023. According to the authorities, this measure represents one of the most significant applications of Article 19 globally.

The country has also, in accordance with the transposition of Article 13 of the FCTC, introduced a strengthened framework for tobacco promotion in cultural industries, with a ban on tobacco advertising, sponsorship and promotion extending to films, television programs, music videos and digital content from Nollywood, one of the world's largest film industries.

Persistent challenges in the context of very strong industry interference

Nigeria noted that despite these advances, several challenges remain, including uneven enforcement of laws at the local level and misinformation regarding new nicotine products coupled with continued industry interference.

The 2025 report for Africa by the organization Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) revealed that the tobacco industry interference index, coordinated globally by the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC) had deteriorated in Nigeria. Globally, the country consequently fell from 46th^e at the 54th^e ranking out of 100 countries studied[2]. Taking advantage of weak enforcement of Nigerian laws, the industry is making redoubled efforts to improve its public image and position itself as a credible and legitimate partner in economic development and public health policies. " The decline in the score illustrates the fact that for every rule intended to exclude the [tobacco] sector from policymaking, another action discreetly integrates it. »" explained Zikora Ibeh, CAPPA's deputy general manager.

" The tobacco industry enjoys persistent access to political circles in Nigeria, despite the deadly nature of its products, which claim approximately 29,000 Nigerian lives each year and cost the economy around 634 billion naira [€378 million] in healthcare expenditures and lost productivity. »"said CAPPA's Managing Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi[3].

During COP11, Civil society organizations such as CAPPA, Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), Gatefield, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) and the Centre for Youth Inclusion and Development warned the Nigerian delegation of the risk of "« selling out public health »to multinational tobacco companies[4]. Civil society organizations have expressed concern about what they described as the tobacco industry's latest global attempt to infiltrate the COP11 discussions. This interference is being carried out, in particular, through the legitimization of new nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes, under the banner of "harm reduction." Civil society actors primarily see this as a strategy aimed at fostering addiction to nicotine products. According to CAPPA, industry interference remains the main obstacle to effective tobacco control, and the introduction of new nicotine products would undermine the progress made in public health.

These organizations also reminded the delegation of Articles 25 to 28, 33 to 34 and 38(2) of the National Tobacco Control Act, which prohibit government officials from having financial or non-financial relationships with the tobacco industry or its affiliates, as well as Nigeria's obligations under Article 5.3 of the FCTC, which requires Parties to protect health policies against the special interests of the tobacco industry.

Civil society organizations urged the Nigerian delegation to align itself with the global public health community, reject all forms of industry influence, and support stronger decisions aimed at building a tobacco-free future. Key demands included reinstating inflation-adjusted excise taxes, implementing health warnings with illustrations up to 60,000 images, and excluding industry representatives from policy discussions, including those concerning e-cigarettes and snus.[5], or even the banning of CSR initiatives carried out by the tobacco industry in all public institutions.

Dr. Salako pointed out that on the 20th^e The anniversary of the Convention on Tobacco Control (CTC), which entered into force in 2005, under the theme "Healthy Planet, Healthy Future: Uniting for a Tobacco-Free Generation," offers an opportunity for renewed global commitment to the fight against tobacco use. It underscores the critical importance of tobacco, which is the leading cause of non-communicable diseases and environmental damage. The government, for its part, affirmed its continued full commitment to the implementation of the CTC and called for strengthened international cooperation, including knowledge sharing and technical and financial support.

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[1]Kazeem Biriowo, Nigeria records major gains in 2025 Global Adult Tobacco Survey, Nigerian Tribune, published November 17, 2025, accessed November 20, 2025

[2]This Day, Nigeria Slides to 62 in Global Tobacco Interference Rankings, Published on November 14, 2025, accessed on November 20, 2025

[3]Chioma Obinna, Nigeria's tobacco industry interference worsens, public health at risk – 2025 Index reveals, Vanguard, published November 14, 2025, accessed November 20, 2025

[4]Damian Duruiheoma, Tobacco control groups warn Nigerian delegation at COP11 against industry influence, The Nation, published November 16, 2025, accessed November 20, 2025

[5]Royal Ibeh, Nigeria's tobacco interference score worsens to 62 in 2025, ranking 54th globally – Report, Business Day, published November 13, 2025, accessed November 20, 2025

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