The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has called on Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and the Nigerian delegation to push for stronger language on alcohol harms in the forthcoming UN Political Declaration on Non communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health.
The group said such an intervention would ensure that the declaration delivers on its promise to accelerate prevention and promote global well-being.
RDI’s appeal forms part of a wider global advocacy spearheaded by member organisations of Movendi International, the largest independent global movement for development through alcohol prevention.
The initiative is pushing governments to ensure that evidence-based alcohol policy solutions are reflected in the final UN declaration.
According to RDI, alcohol harm remains a major but under-addressed driver of NCDs and mental health conditions, while the current draft of the declaration falls short of earlier agreed commitments and misses critical opportunities for science-based action.
“Nigeria, like other governments, now has the chance to restore clarity, ambition, and impact to alcohol policy within the declaration,” the group said in a letter addressed to the Permanent Representative.
The group urged the Nigerian delegation to champion six concrete improvements to strengthen the declaration. These include Replacing the phrase “harmful use of alcohol” with “alcohol harm” or “per capita alcohol consumption” for clarity and scientific accuracy.
Retaining alcohol policy “best buys” on availability limits and advertising bans, while including the missing SAFER interventions such as alcohol screening, brief interventions, and counter-measures against drink-driving.
Ensuring alcohol screening and brief interventions are included among treatment and prevention commitments.
Reintroducing the 80 per cent taxation target for alcohol and tobacco products.
Introducing language to acknowledge and protect public health policy from alcohol industry interference and other commercial determinants of health.
Aligning the declaration with the Global Alcohol Action Plan including fast-track action on alcohol harm as a public health priority.
RDI’s Executive Director, Philip Jakpor, stressed that Nigeria’s voice within the UN negotiations could prove decisive in ensuring that the final declaration reflects both scientific evidence and global commitments.
“The voice of the Permanent Representative and the Nigerian delegation can ensure that the declaration reflects both scientific evidence and global commitments delivering measurable progress in protecting health, preventing disease, and safeguarding the right to well-being for all,” Jakpor said.
RDI urged Nigeria to seize the opportunity to influence global health policy in a way that tackles the root causes of NCDs and mental health burdens at both national and international levels.
By Dare Akogun
