Group Demands NAFDAC DG’s Sack, Says Sachet Alcohol Ban Defies Presidential Directive

The Independent Action Group for the Voiceless has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately dismiss the Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, accusing her of incompetence and abuse of public office over the enforcement of a ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic beverages.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, the group’s National Coordinator, Ndubuisi Nwogu, alleged that NAFDAC’s decision to enforce the restriction was unlawful and contrary to existing government directives.

According to Nwogu, the enforcement action violates the National Alcohol Policy approved by the Federal Ministry of Health and disregards a presidential directive suspending further disruption of affected businesses pending the outcome of a joint committee’s deliberations.

The group further argued that the move runs contrary to resolutions of the House of Representatives, which, following stakeholder consultations and a public hearing in March 2024, reportedly advised against the implementation of the ban and described it as anti-people.

Nwogu claimed that the policy could have far-reaching economic consequences, including job losses, reduced business activities, and disruptions across the alcoholic beverage value chain. He warned that the decision could negatively affect local manufacturers and undermine efforts to stimulate economic growth under the administration’s economic reform agenda.

The group maintained that sachet and small-bottle alcoholic products were introduced to cater to low-income adult consumers and should not be prohibited without compelling evidence. It also disputed claims that such products encourage alcohol abuse among minors, arguing that available industry-backed campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption have yielded positive results.

According to the group, industry operators have invested substantial resources in awareness campaigns aimed at discouraging underage drinking and promoting responsible consumption practices.

While expressing support for regulatory measures designed to eliminate unsafe products from the market, the group insisted that policy decisions should be guided by empirical evidence rather than what it described as emotional or unsubstantiated claims.

The organization also warned that a complete ban could create opportunities for the proliferation of illicit and unregulated alcoholic products, encourage smuggling, and reduce government revenue from legitimate manufacturers.

Consequently, the group urged President Tinubu to remove Adeyeye from office, arguing that her continued leadership of the agency was no longer in the public interest.

NAFDAC has consistently maintained that restrictions on sachet alcohol and small-volume alcoholic beverages are intended to protect public health and reduce access to alcohol by underage persons and other vulnerable groups.

The agency had yet to respond to the latest allegations at the time of filing this report.