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Foreign, Local Groups Targeting Nigerian Students With Nicotine Products, CAPPA, Others, Allege

Published

3 hours ago

October 22, 2025

Tobacco control advocacy organisations in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government, health authorities, and relevant stakeholders to take immediate action against the clandestine marketing of nicotine-based products disguised as “harm reduction education” by local tobacco industry fronts and a group from Sweden.

In a joint statement, the Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), and Gatefield warned that the tobacco industry, through its cronies, is covertly introducing these products to Nigerian youth, including students, thus threatening to reverse years of progress in tobacco control and public health.

The statement made available to INFO DAILY by Robert Egbe, Media and Communication Officer, CAPPA, the groups noted that this move comes at a time when at least 43 countries have banned nicotine vaping products, and 26 others have prohibited heated tobacco products due to health concerns, unethical marketing, and the urgent need to prevent youth addiction.

“Nigeria cannot be a dumping ground for these rejected products,” the organisations declared. “The government has a duty to protect citizens from this dangerous tactic.”

They cited a recent event in Abuja organised by an industry front group posing as a “harm reduction organisation from Sweden,” describing it as a deliberate attempt by the tobacco industry to derail the full implementation of Nigeria’s tobacco control laws and worsen the country’s growing non-communicable diseases (NCD) crisis.

According to media reports, the group urged Nigeria to adopt a “localised harm reduction strategy” and “learn from the Quit Like Sweden model.” While claiming to promote alternatives for smokers, the group simultaneously launched mass media campaigns marketing the products to the general public as “safer options”.

NTCA, CAPPA, and Gatefield described this as a deceptive rebranding of tobacco marketing, warning that the tobacco industry is exploiting harm-reduction rhetoric to recruit a new generation of nicotine users.

They also condemned the Swedish group’s claim that “there can never be a nicotine-free world”, calling it the clearest evidence yet that the industry is deliberately perpetuating addiction while most countries are adopting endgame tobacco strategies aimed at a nicotine-free future.

Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA, said, “There is no safe level of nicotine. These groups are marketing nicotine pouches, vapes and heated tobacco devices as harm-reducing or safer alternatives, and that is a dangerous lie that fuels a youth addiction crisis right here at home.”

Oluwafemi cited recent World Health Organization (WHO) data showing that at least 15 million children aged 13 to 15 are already addicted to e-cigarettes, with children being nine times more likely than adults to vape.

“This is the so-called ‘smoke-free future’ the industry envisions — one that sustains a steady pipeline of young addicts to replace those killed or harmed by tobacco and nicotine products so shareholders can keep smiling to the bank,” he said.

He urged the government to adopt bold, decisive actions to eliminate youth access to nicotine products, protect children, and end the nicotine epidemic in Nigeria.

“Harm is harm; there is no safe level of poison. Any message suggesting nicotine can be safely used is a public health misstep with devastating consequences for our youth and families. Nigeria must prioritise the elimination of access and strict enforcement of comprehensive protections over any form of so-called harm reduction marketing,” he said.

Olawale Makanjuola, NTCA Alliance Coordinator, corroborated this view, stressing that the country already has a robust legal framework that, if properly implemented, can curb the spread of nicotine addiction.

Makanjuola added, “We have the tools: strong taxation, comprehensive advertising bans, plain packaging, strict age verification, and well-funded cessation support. What’s needed is political will.”

“Industry-backed programmes falsely claim not to target youths, yet they simultaneously launch ‘educational’ campaigns in schools that normalise nicotine use. These are Trojan horses disguised as public health initiatives.”

Similarly, Omei Bongos-Ikwue, Health Communications, Policy and Advocacy Specialist at Gatefield, backed the call for more robust policies to protect the youth.

“The industry does not seek to eradicate tobacco and nicotine, but to dress itself in packaging that attracts its most important market, the youth. As a party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Nigeria must protect public health policies from the tobacco industry’s commercial interests. We must maintain our focus on preventing initiation and ending the epidemic, not advancing nicotine addiction.”

The statement noted that global evidence consistently shows that comprehensive tobacco control policies, not alternative product marketing, drive quitting rates and reduce tobacco use prevalence.

“Nigeria must align with global best practices and stand firm against the industry’s deceptive harm-reduction tactics. Beyond that, we must also develop home-grown public health solutions that reflect our social and local realities, not copy and paste narratives from countries where nicotine addiction is already entrenched. Nigerian youth do not need new forms of addiction disguised as lifestyle accessories,” the organisations warned.

They further urged parents, guardians, school authorities, and the general public to stay vigilant against the growing infiltration of these nicotine products into everyday spaces.

“If our public institutions and communities fail to act now, Nigeria risks importing a major public health crisis,” the statement concluded.

News

Okpebholo Announces Plan To Recruit 3,000 Teachers In Edo

Published

15 seconds ago

October 22, 2025

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has announced plans to employ 3,000 teachers in the state.

This was contained in a statement released by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Wednesday.

Okpebholo supervised the handing out of letters of employment to 5,000 teachers in the state last Wednesday.

The teachers, who for years were on contract with a monthly stipend of ₦65,000 during the administration of Godwin Obaseki, were formally handed appointment letters during a ceremony held at Government House.

The governor emphasised the significance of the occasion and the government’s commitment to valuing its educators.

In appreciation of the governor’s kind gesture, the Edo State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers were at the government house on Tuesday, where it conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award on the governor by Edo in recognition of his exceptional reforms and commitment to repositioning the state’s education sector.

The award was presented by NUT State Chairman, Bernard Ajobiewe, in the company of the Acting Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Edo State chapter, Comrade Bernard Egwahide.

In return, the governor announced plans to recruit an additional 3,000 teachers to strengthen teaching capacity and improve learning outcomes across public schools in the state.

Okpebholo expressed deep appreciation to Edo teachers for their diligence and patriotism in shaping the future of the State.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education as the cornerstone of human development.

“Teachers remain a top priority in our development agenda and the state has finalised plans to employ 3000 additional teachers.

“We are building and renovating schools across Edo, and as infrastructure improves, so must manpower. Our goal is to ensure that no school lacks qualified teachers and that every child receives quality education in a conducive learning environment,” the governor said.

Okpebholo emphasised that his administration had put an end to the era of overcrowded classrooms and combined classes that once defined Edo’s public schools, noting that the new education reforms have already restored public confidence in the system.

He also reiterated that his government would not engage in political witch-hunts, but would allow performance and public perception to judge the actions of the previous administration.

“If the last administration had performed well, the Edo people would have felt it. We are focused on rebuilding the system and restoring pride in our schools. My administration is committed to results, not rhetoric,” Okpebholo stated.

The governor further assured continued collaboration with labour unions to sustain industrial harmony and drive collective progress.

He pledged to donate a bus to the NUT to facilitate its statewide operations and monitoring activities across Edo’s 18 local government areas.

“We will continue to maintain a strong working relationship with the NUT and all labour unions. The welfare of teachers remains the heart of our education reforms,” he added.

In his remarks, Ajobiewe commended the governor for regularising the employment of over 5,000 Edo-Star teachers, who had remained contract staff for more than three years under the previous administration.

“In less than a year, our story as teachers has changed from frustration to fulfilment. Governor Okpebholo has not only restored dignity to the teaching profession but has rekindled hope in public education. His actions demonstrate true leadership and empathy,” Ajobiewe said.

Similarly, Egwahide praised the governor’s people-oriented leadership and promised the union’s continued support for his administration.

“We are grateful to a governor who listens, acts, and delivers. The workers of Edo State will stand by you as you continue to transform our education sector and fulfil your promises,” he affirmed.

News

Davido Gets New Appointment

Published

3 minutes ago

October 22, 2025

Editor

The Osun State Government has announced the appointment of Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, as chairman of the Osun Sports Trust Fund.

The government said the move was aimed at raising funds to transform the state sports sector.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to completing the ongoing renovation and rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium, assuring that the upgraded facility will meet Olympic standards upon completion.

News

Man Bags Life Sentence For Armed Robbery In Ekiti

Published

20 minutes ago

October 22, 2025

Editor

An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, on Wednesday sentenced a 27-year-old man, Alex Peter, to life imprisonment for armed robbery.

Peter was arraigned on December 29, 2022, on two-count of conspiracy and armed robbery.

He was also sentenced to nine years for conspiracy.

The charge read, “The defendant and others at large on 16th May, 2022 at Ado Ekiti within the jurisdiction did conspire to commit armed robbery on one Augustine Steven by stealing his red Bajaj motorcycle with registration number AMK 569 UJ and cash of N15,000.

“At the time of the robbery, he was armed with a cutlass and an axe, contrary to Sections 314 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.”

In his testimony before the court, the victim, a commercial motorcyclist, said the robbery happened at about 8:45pm along NTA Road, Ado Ekiti on that day.

He stated, “The defendant stopped me to take him to Judge’s Quarters. On getting there, he alighted from the motorcycle. I was expecting him to pay, but instead I saw somebody who emerged from the bush with a cutlass. I turned to the passenger, who already held an axe. They collected N15,000 cash from me and took my motorcycle away. I saw the defendant’s face clearly because there was light along the road. I reported the matter at the New Iyin Road Police Station.

“On the third day, I saw the defendant at a restaurant and grabbed him, some passersby helped me call the police. He initially denied robbing me of my motorcycle, but it was later found in his house when the police went to search his house.”

The prosecutor, O.S. Akinwumi, called four witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statements, motorcycle particulars, among others, as exhibits.

The defendant, however, spoke in his own defence through his lawyer, Stanley Okonkwo, and he called no witness.

In his judgment, Justice Adekunle Adeleye found the defendant guilty of the charges and sentenced him accordingly.

The judge said, “It is in evidence that the defendant himself confessed that he was one of the armed robbers.

“I find the defendant guilty as charged. On the whole, the defendant is hereby sentenced to nine years imprisonment for conspiracy and life imprisonment for the offence of armed robbery.”

On Tuesday, the Enugu State Police Command arrested a 42-year-old man, Chinweuba Edeh, for allegedly robbing a Point of Sale operator of ₦70,000 at gunpoint.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the suspect was apprehended on October 17 at about 6:40 a.m. by operatives attached to the Nkanu West (Agbani) Police Division, following a swift response to a distress call from the female victim.

The victim reported that the suspect attacked and robbed her at Orie-Mba Akpugo Market in the Akpugo community of Nkanu West Local Government Area.