Department of Local Government and Development Studies holds Talk Shop
The Department of Local Government and Development Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, has held its 2025 Talk Shop Series 4.0.
Themed ‘Implications of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax on Health Development in Nigeria’, the event took place at the Departmental Theatre 1.
The Department hosts the Talk Shop Series annually, focusing on issues that enhance knowledge, skills and collaboration for students, the university community and the general public.
The Talk Shop is a prerequisite of the Course – Social Mobilization in Local Governments (LGDS 314).
Presenting a paper on the theme, a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Dr Umar Sani Bebeji said the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria was increasing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption.
According to him, NCD treatment costs strain households and health budgets and that preventive measures like SSB tax are cost-effective.
He identified regressivenes, job losses, smuggling, substitution, tax evasion, need for digital tax tools and audits and lack of inter-agency coordination as the major challenges of tax on health development in Nigeria.
Dr Bebeji recommended the adoption of sugar-based tiered specific excise tax, raising rates to ensure 10–20% price increase and broadening coverage to teas, concentrates, flavoured waters, index rates to inflation and sugar content.
The Talk Shop featured interactive sessions questions and answers session.
The event was attended by teaching and non-teaching staff of the Faculty of Administration and students.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (AHW)
Tuesday, 9th September, 2025
