Nigeria: Open Letter to the Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members – Pass the Customs and Excise Tariffs (Consolidation) (Amendment) Bill

Dear Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members,

Nigeria faces a “double burden of disease” where diseases such as HIV, malaria, and Lassa fever cause major illness and death and the rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are rapidly increasing. This has created growing pressure on a health system already managing infectious threats. In 2019, NCDs were estimated to account for about 29% of deaths in Nigeria. In practical terms, this means roughly…