The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) launched its 2025 Youth Bootcamp on Food Justice on Sunday, August 24, at the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort. This week-long intensive training, in collaboration with the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), will run through August 29 and bring together young Nigerians from all six geopolitical zones.
Designed to nurture the next generation of leaders, the bootcamp aims to deepen participants’ understanding of the critical links between food, health, and policy. Through interactive workshops, policy simulations, media strategy sessions, and scenario planning, attendees will gain practical skills to advocate for healthier food environments.
CAPPA explains that the initiative addresses Nigeria’s escalating health crises linked to diet. Experts attribute the rise in non-communicable diseases—such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity—to the proliferation of ultra-processed foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, coupled with weak regulatory oversight and misleading advertising by food and beverage companies.
“Food justice is shaping up to be one of the most urgent public health issues of our time,” said Akinbode Oluwafemi, CAPPA’s Executive Director. “This bootcamp seeks to empower young Nigerians with the knowledge and confidence to influence policies that determine what we eat and how we live, ultimately safeguarding our communities’ health.”
The event will feature renowned local and international experts in food policy and public health, many of whom are seasoned advocates for social justice. Participants will delve into Nigeria’s food landscape, with discussions focusing on the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) tax, policy pathways for food justice, and grassroots strategies to promote healthier diets.
Recent reports from the World Health Organization underscore the urgency of these issues, revealing that non-communicable diseases now account for nearly 30% of Nigeria’s deaths. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity continues to rise across urban and rural areas. By 2045, over six million Nigerians are projected to have diabetes—doubling from 2019 figures—while a third of adults are estimated to suffer from hypertension. These health challenges threaten to overwhelm Nigeria’s already strained healthcare system unless stricter regulation of unhealthy food products is enforced.
For CAPPA, the bootcamp is a vital step in cultivating youth leadership capable of driving evidence-based advocacy and policy change. “Young people are at the forefront of change,” Oluwafemi emphasized. “They are future policymakers, researchers, and social changemakers who must be active participants in creating healthier food environments.”
Beyond policy education, the bootcamp also aims to foster networking and collaboration among participants, encouraging the formation of a vibrant national community of food justice advocates committed to sharing strategies and amplifying their voices.
