By Toyin Victor, ABUJA
The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) has called on journalists to investigate the legislative process surrounding proposed amendments to the National Tobacco Control Act 2015, alleging that provisions capable of weakening existing public health protections were introduced into a consolidated bill without proper scrutiny.
The concerns featured prominently on Thursday, November 5, 2026, in Abuja, at the launch of the Alliance’s Tobacco Industry Monitoring Report and the unveiling of the National Tobacco Control Resource Centre organised by the Alliance.
Chairman of the NTCA Board, Akinbode Oluwafemi, alleged that the proposed amendment could reverse years of progress in tobacco control, particularly safeguards designed to protect children and young people from tobacco and emerging nicotine products.
Oluwafemi also questioned the involvement of the Federal Ministry of Trade in discussions on policies concerning new and emerging tobacco products, arguing that such matters should fall under the Ministry of Health. He further accused government institutions of allowing commercial interests to undermine public health priorities.
He called for an end to public-sector partnerships and endorsements involving tobacco companies, stronger enforcement of restrictions on tobacco advertising and promotion, and stricter implementation of smoke-free laws. He also urged the National Assembly to reject any proposed changes that could weaken existing protections.
The NTCA chairman specifically challenged journalists to examine how the consolidated amendment bill was put together, alleging that its contents were not adequately debated or reflected in submissions made during the public hearing. He called for greater scrutiny of the legislative process and accountability over the disputed provisions.
Earlier, Alliance Coordinator, Olawale Makanjuola, described the monitoring report as an important tool for documenting what he called the tobacco industry’s covert strategies, aggressive marketing, corporate social responsibility activities and attempts to influence public policies.
Makanjuola said the report, commissioned by the NTCA with support from the African Capacity Building Foundation, would serve as an early warning system and an action guide for government institutions, civil society organisations and the media. He also cited nearly 30,000 preventable tobacco-related deaths and the economic pressure on Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Also speaking, the In-country Coordinator of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Barrister Michael Olaniyan, said the new resource centre would address the need for accessible tobacco control information, including campaign materials, research resources, one-page briefs and practical tools for advocates and journalists.
Olaniyan explained that the centre would complement existing scientific research by making information easier to access and apply in public campaigns. The NTCA urged government, civil society groups and the media to use the report and resource centre to strengthen accountability and protect Nigeria’s tobacco control laws from measures that could undermine public health.