A group, Concerned Citizens for Change, on Thursday staged a protest at the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja, calling for the immediate removal of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, over alleged incompetence and abuse of office.
The group accused the NAFDAC boss of enforcing what it described as an “arbitrary and illegal ban” on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic products, allegedly in violation of existing national policy guidelines.
Addressing journalists during the protest, the Executive Director of the group, Amb. Stephen Eriba, said the agency’s action contravened directives of the Federal Ministry of Health and disregarded a presidential order halting enforcement actions against affected companies pending the outcome of a joint review committee.
He also claimed that the move was inconsistent with resolutions of the House of Representatives, which, according to him, had previously advised against the ban after consultations with stakeholders.
The group warned that the enforcement could have adverse economic consequences, including job losses, disruption of businesses, and a potential rise in illicit and unregulated alcoholic products in the market.
Eriba argued that sachet and small-packaged alcohol products were introduced to cater to low-income adult consumers and should not be withdrawn without credible evidence of harm.
He further maintained that claims linking such products to abuse, particularly among minors, were not sufficiently supported by empirical data.
According to him, industry operators have invested heavily in public awareness campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption and discouraging underage drinking.
While acknowledging the need for regulation to eliminate unsafe products, the group urged authorities to base policy decisions on verified research rather than “public sentiment.”
The protesters, therefore, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to dismiss the NAFDAC Director-General, insisting that her continued stay in office was no longer in the public interest.
There was no immediate response from NAFDAC or the Federal Ministry of Health as of the time of filing this report.