Civil society organizations in Oyo State have taken a decisive step toward strengthening tobacco control and combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with the formal initiation of a CSO Coalition on NCDs and Tobacco Control.
The strategic formation and training meeting, held on February 20, 2026, at the TBI Conference Room in Ibadan, was organized by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) and implemented by Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria. The meeting brought together civil society leaders, community representatives, and development stakeholders to build a unified advocacy voice for sustainable tobacco control financing in the state.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria, Dr. Dare Olagoke-Adaramoye, emphasized the urgent need for coordinated civil society action to address tobacco-related health and economic burdens in Oyo State.
“NCDs account for nearly one-third of deaths in Nigeria, and tobacco remains a major preventable risk factor. While laws exist, implementation gaps persist due to weak financing. Sustainable domestic financing is critical,” he stated.
The training sessions provided participants with evidence-based insights into the tobacco burden in Oyo State, referencing recent data which indicates that tobacco use prevalence among men aged 15–49 in the South-West remains significant.
Participants examined the health consequences of tobacco use, including chronic respiratory diseases, lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Discussions also highlighted the economic implications of tobacco use, including high healthcare costs, productivity losses, and strain on public health systems.
Despite the existence of the National Tobacco Control Act (2015) and Oyo State’s 2016 Bill regulating smoking in public places, stakeholders noted that enforcement remains weak, largely due to the absence of a dedicated budget line for tobacco control.
Participants unanimously agreed that establishing a dedicated tobacco control budget line within relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) is essential to ensure sustainable funding for enforcement, public awareness, prevention services, cessation support, and monitoring mechanisms.
During the interactive sessions, civil society representatives shared challenges from their communities, including rising youth exposure, normalization of smoking in public spaces, and limited enforcement of smoke-free regulations. Community Development Committee leaders and youth advocates called for stronger parental engagement, grassroots mobilization, and legislative advocacy.
A major highlight of the meeting was the review and adoption of a draft Terms of Reference (TOR) for the coalition, which outlined governance structure, accountability mechanisms, and advocacy priorities. The coalition adopted a structure based on organizational membership and agreed to form a coordinating committee to oversee operations.
The coalition’s advocacy strategy will align with the 2027 Oyo State budget cycle, targeting key entry points such as pre-budget consultations, MTSS reviews, budget call circular drafting, and legislative public hearings.
Participants resolved to submit position papers and engage policymakers to secure inclusion of a dedicated tobacco control budget line.
The meeting successfully:
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Formally initiated the establishment of a CSO Coalition on NCDs and Tobacco Control in Oyo State.
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Strengthened stakeholder understanding of tobacco-related health and economic burdens.
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Built consensus on the need for sustainable domestic financing for tobacco control.
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Established a coordinated advocacy roadmap for the 2027 fiscal cycle.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Adaramoye reiterated that civil society remains a powerful force for policy reform.
“Budgets reflect political priorities. If tobacco control is not funded, it is not prioritized. Through this coalition, we are strengthening collective advocacy to protect future generations in Oyo State,” he said.
The meeting concluded at approximately 1:30 pm with participants committing to sustained collaboration, coordinated advocacy, and long-term engagement to improve public health outcomes in the state.
Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to leading and coordinating advocacy efforts aimed at securing sustainable tobacco control financing and reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases in Oyo State.
