The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE) has called on the Nigerian government to reject a proposal to introduce an additional tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).

In a statement issued on Tuesday, CPPE Executive Director, Dr. Muda Yusuf, said the proposed tax—backed by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) on public health grounds—was ill-timed and poorly conceived.

The economic think tank argued that Nigeria’s economy is still in a fragile recovery phase, adding that an extra SSB tax would place further pressure on the manufacturing sector.

According to CPPE, the proposal does not align with current economic realities, existing tax reforms, or the high energy costs already affecting the industry.

The group urged the National Assembly to halt any legislative consideration of the tax and advised public health authorities to focus instead on education, prevention, and lifestyle-based interventions.

“At this critical stage of Nigeria’s economic recovery, the policy imperative should be to support businesses, protect jobs, and strengthen growth—not impose additional tax burdens on an already strained sector,” CPPE said.