The Independent Public Service Accountability Watch (IPSAW) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately remove the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, alleging gross incompetence and abuse of public office over the agency’s enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic beverages.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the Executive Director of IPSAW, Amb. Stephen Eriba, criticized NAFDAC’s decision to enforce the restriction, describing it as arbitrary, unlawful, and contrary to existing government directives.
According to IPSAW, the enforcement action violates the National Alcohol Policy approved by the Federal Ministry of Health and disregards directives aimed at preventing disruptions to the operations of affected manufacturers pending the outcome of stakeholder consultations.
The group argued that the policy implementation could negatively affect businesses, threaten jobs, and undermine the economic objectives of the Federal Government’s reform agenda. IPSAW maintained that the move could also create uncertainty within the manufacturing sector and discourage investment.
Eriba further alleged that NAFDAC’s action contradicted resolutions of the House of Representatives, which had previously called for restraint on the enforcement of the ban following consultations with industry stakeholders.
The watchdog organization contended that sachet and small PET bottle alcoholic beverages were developed to provide affordable options for adult consumers, particularly those in lower-income brackets. It argued that the products are manufactured under regulated conditions and certified by relevant authorities, including NAFDAC.
IPSAW also questioned the justification for the ban, stating that claims linking sachet alcohol products to underage consumption and abuse had not been sufficiently supported by empirical evidence.
The group noted that industry operators had invested significant resources in public awareness campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption and discouraging underage drinking.
According to the organization, a total ban could lead to unintended consequences, including job losses across the value chain, increased circulation of illicit and unregulated products, and reduced government revenue from legitimate manufacturers.
While expressing support for efforts to remove unsafe products from the market, IPSAW emphasized that regulatory decisions should be based on verifiable data and extensive stakeholder engagement.
The group concluded by urging President Tinubu to take decisive action by removing Prof. Adeyeye from office, insisting that her continued leadership of NAFDAC was no longer in the public interest.
The NAFDAC Director-General and the agency had not issued an official response to the allegations at the time of filing this report.