The Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) have called on the federal government to raise the Tobacco Control Fund (TCF) allocation from N13 million to at least N300 million in the 2025 budget, warning that current funding is grossly inadequate to combat Nigeria’s growing public health crisis.

At a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the groups acknowledged the slight increase from N10 million (2024) to N13 million (2025) but stressed that the amount falls far short of what is needed to effectively implement the National Tobacco Control Act (2015).

Akinbode Oluwafemi, CAPPA’s Executive Director, urged immediate action, saying, “The government must prioritise the TCF and allocate at least N300 million to curb the tobacco industry’s destruction.

“Nigerians are dying daily, yet the industry aggressively markets deadly alternatives like vapes and smokeless nicotine products-targeting our youth as replacements for those killed by tobacco.”

Oluwafemi emphasised that these products-e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches-are deceptively marketed as “safer” while addicting a new generation.

Olawale Makanjuola, NTCA Coordinator, stressed that increased funding must be matched with proper oversight.

“The TCF’s management must comply with the law. We demand regular updates on its balance, sources, and expenditures from the Ministry of Health. Without transparency, even a larger budget will fail,” he stated