The Coalition for Nigerian Change Movement has called for the immediate removal of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, over what it described as abuse of public office and unlawful enforcement actions.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja, the coalition’s leader, Comrade Ogo Lincoln Otekevwe, accused the NAFDAC boss of enforcing an “arbitrary and illegal” ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic products in defiance of existing directives.
The group argued that the agency’s action contradicts the National Alcohol Policy approved by the Federal Ministry of Health and a presidential directive restraining NAFDAC from disrupting the operations of affected companies pending the outcome of a joint committee’s review.
According to the coalition, the enforcement also runs contrary to a resolution of the House of Representatives referenced as NAS/10/HR/CT.33/77c of March 14, 2024, which reportedly restrained NAFDAC from implementing the ban after a public hearing with key stakeholders and described the move as anti-people.
Otekevwe said the situation has created confusion among industry operators who are faced with conflicting directives from different arms of government.
He maintained that sachet and small PET bottle alcoholic beverages were introduced as an innovation to cater to low-income adult consumers, giving them access to products within their budget and the right to make informed choices.
The coalition further disputed claims that sachet alcohol encourages abuse, arguing that smaller portions may in fact discourage excessive consumption often associated with larger containers. It also stated that locally produced sachet alcohol is manufactured under hygienic conditions and certified by regulatory agencies, including NAFDAC.
On allegations of underage consumption, the group described the claims as unverified and said independent research had contradicted such assertions. It added that industry operators have invested over one billion naira in nationwide media campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption and discouraging underage drinking.
While expressing support for efforts to eliminate unsafe products from the market, the coalition insisted that regulatory decisions must be based on empirical evidence rather than “emotional persuasion or public sentiment.”
The group warned that the ban could lead to job losses, disrupt the value chain, and open the market to illicit, substandard and smuggled products, thereby reducing government revenue and limiting access for low-income consumers.
The coalition therefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “act without hesitation” and remove the NAFDAC Director-General, stating that her continued stay in office was no longer in the public interest.
As of the time of filing this report, NAFDAC had not issued an official response to the allegations.