The call was made on Thursday at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja organised by the Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF) in partnership with Public Eye, where new findings on sugar content in baby foods triggered widespread concern.

Public Eye’s research focused on Cerelac, Nestlé’s widely consumed infant cereal across Africa. Laboratory tests on nearly 100 samples purchased in over 20 African countries revealed that 94 per cent contained added sugar.

On average, products recorded about 6 grams of added sugar per serving equivalent to roughly one and a half sugar cubes with some markets reaching between 7 and 7.5 grams. Nigerian samples averaged 5 grams, with peaks of 6.1 grams.

The figures refer strictly to sugar added during manufacturing and exclude naturally occurring sugars present in ingredients such as grains, fruits and milk.

Nestlé however  maintained that its products comply with local regulations and are fortified to address nutritional deficiencies.

However, the company has not explained why sugar-free formulations are available in Europe while African markets receive variants containing added sugar.

Opening the session, Prof. Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, CADEF’s executive director, stressed that the advocacy is not targeted at any single company but aimed at safeguarding children’s health and advancing a zero-added-sugar standard for infant foods in Nigeria.

“African babies are being fed sugar Europe would never accept,” she said, highlighting disparities in product formulations across regions.

Citing the findings, she noted that some cereal-based infant foods contain “over four grams, almost five grams of sugar,” but clarified that manufacturers are not breaching existing laws.

“They are complying with current regulations, which are based on Codex standards developed over 30 years ago,” she said, pointing to the outdated nature of the framework as the core issue.

She urged regulatory authorities to align national standards with current global health recommendations.

CADEF warned that early exposure to added sugars can shape children’s taste preferences and increase their risk of obesity, diabetes, dental disease and other non-communicable conditions later in life echoing guidance from the World Health Organization, which advises against added sugars in infant foods.

While acknowledging that existing sugar levels fall within Nigeria’s Codex-based standards, the organisation argued that the framework is no longer sufficient to protect infant nutrition.

It clarified that its concerns relate specifically to sugars deliberately added as sweeteners or enhancers, not naturally occurring sugars in raw ingredients.

Stakeholders at the meeting called on key regulators including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to review existing standards and enforce clearer, more transparent labelling requirements.

CADEF emphasised that parents deserve accurate, easy-to-understand information when making nutritional choices, noting that Nigerian consumers should enjoy the same level of product quality and protection available in other markets.

Among its recommendations is the introduction of mandatory front-of-pack labelling that clearly identifies and distinguishes sources of sugar, alongside policies to drive reformulation toward zero added sugar.

“We need front-of-pack labelling in simple language that separates the source of sugar on each product,” Ndukwe-Okafor said, adding that regulators and paediatric stakeholders expressed support for reform.

Also speaking, Adeyemo Adebayo of the Nutrition Division at the Federal Ministry of Health stressed that policy reforms must be complemented by sustained public advocacy to achieve meaningful impact.

He called for broader health education efforts beyond formal legislation, including engagement with traditional and religious leaders to drive grassroots awareness that infants do not require added sugar.

Jubril Mohammed, representing the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, said the agency’s role is to facilitate consensus-driven standards rather than impose unilateral decisions.

He noted that proposals such as eliminating added sugar must be backed by evidence and stakeholder agreement, adding that review processes can take up to a year.

He, however, expressed the agency’s willingness to collaborate with CADEF.

From a clinical perspective, Dr. Anthony Bawa, representing the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), called for stronger multi-sector collaboration involving academia, health institutions and lawmakers to address the risks associated with added sugars in infant diets.

He emphasised the importance of National Assembly involvement in enacting effective legislation to protect children’s health.

The meeting also highlighted international precedents. In India, sustained advocacy and regulatory pressure have compelled manufacturers to introduce multiple no-added-sugar variants of infant foods, demonstrating that reform is achievable.

As interim guidance, advocates urged parents to limit processed foods, avoid sugary drinks and sweets for young children, and prioritise natural options such as fruits.

“Don’t give children soft drinks. Don’t give them sweets,” Ndukwe-Okafor advised, recommending healthier alternatives like bananas and mangoes.

The coalition said it will engage senior policymakers and the National Assembly to push for stricter regulations, including a zero-added-sugar benchmark for infant foods in Nigeria.

Stakeholders agreed that a combination of regulatory reform, industry accountability and consumer education will be critical to safeguarding infant health and securing a healthier future.

Signifying an essential milestone in QNET’s firm commitment to empowering individuals and communities through the power of financial knowledge, the FinGreen graduation ceremony was a fitting tribute to the dedicated participants who completed the second phase of the program. 

These individuals have gained invaluable financial knowledge and skills, propelling them toward a future where they can make informed financial decisions and manage their resources effectively.

Biram Fall, Regional General Manager of QNET’s Sub-Saharan Africa region, expressed immense pride in the impact achieved by FinGreen Nigeria in just two short months. He highlighted the interactive workshops and the unique train-the-trainer approach that empowered 25 FinGreen Ambassadors to educate over 750 young individuals in essential financial principles through the peer-to-peer module.

“This initiative not only imparts practical insights into budgeting, savings, investment, and entrepreneurship but also cultivates informed decision-making. We firmly believe in promoting entrepreneurship and enhancing financial inclusion among youths to fuel economic growth and development, and the success of FinGreen Phase 2 stands as a testament to this commitment. Our heartfelt encouragement goes to the beneficiaries to become knowledge beacons, sharing their learnings within their communities,” he said. 

FinGreen, QNET’s signature Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program in Nigeria, aims to equip Nigerian youths and women with the financial literacy skills needed to achieve financial freedom. It seeks to train 6,000 young Nigerians in essential financial skills, including saving, budgeting, investment, entrepreneurial employability, and identifying financial opportunities.

Ajisafe Abiodun Hakeem, CEO and Managing Director of Transblue Nigeria Limited, shared his vision for FinGreen, which extends far beyond the initial goal of training 6,000 individuals. He emphasized that true economic impact in Nigeria can only be achieved by equipping citizens with the right financial knowledge. By doing so, people can make informed decisions, even in challenging economic times.

The execution of this training program, which aligns with the United Nations SDGs and the Addis Ababa Agenda to provide adequate skills and proper developmental training for all, particularly for youth, women and entrepreneurs, was made possible through invaluable partnerships. 

Financial Literacy For All (FLFA), the program’s Content and Training partner, played a commendable role in developing all the training materials. They also conducted the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop for the 25 alumni who would become FinGreen Ambassadors.

Another crucial partner, the Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF), was responsible for recruiting, assessing, and tracking the participants’ performance. Their efforts were instrumental in monitoring learning outcomes and gauging development in various areas.

One of the standout features of FinGreen is its peer-to-peer training model. Young participants are trained to become FinGreen Ambassadors, who, in turn, train others within their communities. This ripple effect is at the heart of Fingreen’s mission to alleviate poverty in Nigeria.

FinGreen’s success is evident in its remarkable achievements. In its inaugural phase, 20 Ambassadors were trained, and they went on to train 572 participants. Now, in Phase 2, 25 Ambassadors have emerged, and over 700 participants have received training in their communities. In total, FinGreen has empowered around 1,500 young people across Lagos, Ogun State, Osun, and Oyo states.

Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, Executive Director at CADEF, highlighted the importance of educating individuals not only in financial literacy but also in understanding that wealth encompasses physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual well-being. This holistic approach to wealth creation is what can drive lasting change.

“The reason a lot of us don’t understand what to do with what is in our hands is because most of us have not been taught. Being taught financial literacy, it’s very important for everybody. They say in Nigeria we have a lot of problems which means there’s a lot of solutions waiting to be developed. Every problem has a solution or more than one solution. So this is creating opportunities in people’s minds to see and focus on solutions, not problems. Starting here, it’s something that takes us way ahead into the future of Nigeria,” she noted.

Laja Shoniran, Executive Director of Financial Literacy for All, recognizes the dire need for financial literacy not only in Nigeria but across Africa. In contrast to countries like the United States, where financial literacy is highly promoted, there’s a lack of stability in financial education programs in Nigeria. The work being done by FinGreen is poised to change that narrative.

“Financial literacy is very key to every one of us no matter what level you are. Unfortunately, all across the world, it’s in dire need. In America, they have a whole month dedicated to financial literacy. That’s to tell you how important it is. But in Nigeria and Africa at large, we don’t have such, although some African countries such as Namibia, Ghana and Nigeria have tried it, but it’s not stable.”

FinGreen is Investing in the Future 

Among the graduates of the program, three participants stood out for their exceptional performance during peer-to-peer training. They were awarded seed funding and e-learning vouchers for courses on QNET’s learning platform. The first runner-up received N500,000, the second runner-up received N750,000, and the winner received N1 million.

Temitope Glory Adesemowo, the program’s winner, is determined to pass on the legacy of wealth creation to the next generation. She recognizes that true wealth is not just about being rich; it’s about creating a lasting impact through wise investments and financial discipline. 

On what made her standout, she said: “I was myself all through the program, not trying to impress. I had my mind set on doing this and doing this well, my priority was not about me doing it well, but making sure that my students understood what I was going there to do. Even when it wasn’t convenient for me, I had my mind set up on these people understanding what I was going there to do. I achieved that.”

She attributes her success to her mentors and supportive family who played an important role in her journey.

“The seed capital is not just about creating an initial boost; it’s about setting an example,” Ajisafe Abiodun Hakeem, CEO and Managing Director of Transblue Limited said. “QNET and Transblue recognize that entrepreneurship and self-reliance are key to economic growth. Therefore, they support participants through internships and mentorship until they can start their businesses.”

FinGreen’s second-phase graduation is not just a celebration of individual achievements but also a reiteration of the transformative power of financial literacy. QNET, Transblue, and partners are lighting the way toward a brighter and more financially empowered future for Nigeria’s youth. Through knowledge sharing, mentorship, and a commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, they are sowing the seeds of economic growth and sustainable development in the nation.