Introduction: a setback for public health protections
Nigeria has fallen to 62nd place in the latest Global Tobacco Industry Interference (TII) Ranking, signaling a growing vulnerability of public health policies to tobacco industry pressure. The 2025 Nigeria Tobacco Industry Interference (TII) Index, released recently by Corporate Accountability for Responsible Policy (CARP) and its partners, highlights the continuing struggle to implement strong, shielded public health measures in the face of industry tactics.
What the TII index measures
The TII Index assesses how well a country protects its public health policies from tobacco industry interference. It considers factors such as transparency in policymaking, the presence of independent regulatory bodies, conflict-of-interest rules, and the extent to which industry actors can influence legislative processes. A higher ranking signals stronger safeguards, while a lower ranking indicates greater exposure to corporate pressure and tactics used to dilute health protections.
Nigeria’s fall: what it means for health policy
Moving down to 62nd place marks a notable decline for Nigeria, raising concerns among health advocates, policymakers, and researchers. The report notes that despite initial efforts to fortify tobacco-control laws, recent developments—such as lobbying activities, ambiguities in regulatory authority, and gaps in enforcement—have undermined progress toward robust, resilient public health protections.
Key factors affecting Nigeria’s ranking
- Transparency gaps in policymaking processes that allow industry input to sway decisions.
- Weak governance structures that enable conflicts of interest in regulatory agencies.
- Lack of comprehensive implementation of Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which obligates governments to limit industry influence.
- Ineffective civil society engagement and limited access to information for the public on policy debates.
Implications for public health
The drop in Nigeria’s TII ranking risks undermining hard-won gains in tobacco-control, including advertising bans, smokefree laws, and health warnings. With industry actors sometimes presenting themselves as stakeholders in development, a lower security rating could slow the adoption of stricter measures, delay enforcement, or leave room for weaker surveillance of tobacco marketing and lobbying activities.
What needs to change: steps forward
Experts argue that reversing this trend requires a multi-pronged approach. First, strengthen governance by establishing a clear, independent regulatory body dedicated to tobacco control that operates free of industry influence. Second, close loopholes around transparency and conflict-of-interest rules to ensure policymakers cannot be swayed by tobacco interests. Third, expand civil society participation and public access to policy information, enabling citizens to hold decision-makers accountable. Finally, enforce and monitor adherence to Article 5.3, with penalties for violations and ongoing training for public officials to recognize industry tactics.
A broader regional and global context
Nigeria’s positioning mirrors a broader global challenge where several countries struggle to insulate health policy from tobacco sector tactics. The international community has stressed the importance of robust governance, transparency, and civil society engagement to fortify public health protections. Nigeria’s experiences may offer lessons for neighboring nations seeking to strengthen their TII defenses as they strive toward full compliance with global norms.
Conclusion: recommitting to health-first policy
As Nigeria navigates this setback, the emphasis for policymakers should be on building resilient frameworks that prioritize public health over industry interests. Elevating transparency, enforcing conflict-of-interest provisions, and amplifying civil society participation are pivotal steps toward climbing back in the global TII rankings and safeguarding Nigeria’s public health future against tobacco industry interference.
