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.

BY AARON MIKE ODEH

At a time when social media speculation, couple with Artificial Intelligence work and unverified claims are increasingly shaping public perception, one Nigerian fintech institution that has recently become the subject of widespread rumours is OPay. Yet, beyond the sensational narratives being circulated online, verifiable facts, statistics, and institutional realities clearly indicate that OPay remains one of the strongest and fastest-growing digital financial service providers in Nigeria and Africa.

Ironically, despite its enormous economic contributions, many analysts believe OPay remains one of the most under-publicized corporate success stories in Nigeria’s financial technology sector. While the company’s POS network, financial inclusion drive, scholarship programmes, and employment opportunities continue impacting millions of lives daily, public conversations around the brand are often overshadowed by misinformation, controversy, or deliberate false narratives rather than its measurable developmental contributions to society.

More importantly, industry observers believe the company’s growing public confidence and institutional stability have been significantly strengthened through the strategic public engagement efforts of Dr. Maxwell Patrick Uloko, the Vice President, Public and Government Affairs at OPay Nigeria. Since assuming leadership responsibilities in public and government affairs, Dr. Uloko has consistently projected OPay as a responsible, regulation-compliant, and socially responsive financial institution committed to grassroots financial inclusion and national economic development.

Since its official launch in Nigeria in 2018 following Opera’s acquisition of PayCom Nigeria, OPay has evolved from a mobile payment platform into a major financial ecosystem serving millions of Nigerians through money transfers, POS operations, merchant payments, airtime purchases, debit card services, and digital banking solutions. The company was established with the mission of making financial services more inclusive through technology.

Today, OPay’s influence cuts across urban centres and rural communities alike. Reports indicate that the fintech giant supports millions of users nationwide through a vast network of over 500,000 POS agents and merchants operating across Nigeria. These agents have become critical to local economies, especially in underserved rural areas where access to conventional banking infrastructure remains limited. Through this extensive POS ecosystem, countless Nigerians now conduct daily transactions without travelling long distances to commercial bank branches.

A practical example of OPay’s growing grassroots importance can be seen in Otukpa, headquarters of Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, where local traders and residents increasingly depend on digital financial platforms for their daily survival and business activities.

At the popular Edeh Market in Otukpa, Mrs. Ene Oche, a local garri trader, represents thousands of rural market women whose businesses have gradually been transformed through easy-to-use digital transfer services provided by fintech platforms like OPay. According to observations within the market environment, many customers no longer move around with large volumes of cash due to insecurity concerns and the convenience associated with instant digital payments.

For traders like Mrs. Ene Oche, OPay has become more than just a mobile banking application; it now serves as an informal economic lifeline simplifying commercial transactions within the local market. Buyers purchasing garri, beans, vegetables, yam flour, and other food items can now transfer money instantly through nearby POS agents or directly through mobile transfers without delays traditionally associated with cash shortages or banking difficulties.

Residents within Otukpa also increasingly depend on OPay services for school fees payments, hospital bills, contribution levies, transport fares, and emergency family support transfers. In communities where commercial banking infrastructure remains inadequate, digital finance platforms have become practical alternatives helping ordinary citizens participate more effectively within the modern economy.

Market observers note that before the widespread penetration of fintech services, many traders often lost customers or sold goods on credit whenever buyers lacked physical cash. Today, the availability of OPay agents and digital payment channels has significantly improved transaction confidence, reduced financial stress, and strengthened commercial activities even within rural settlements.

Analysts believe this growing grassroots acceptance is partly connected to OPay’s deliberate financial inclusion policies and aggressive community engagement strategy championed by Dr. Maxwell Patrick Uloko. Under his public affairs leadership, the company has increasingly projected itself not merely as an urban fintech institution, but as a people-oriented financial platform accessible to ordinary Nigerians across villages, semi-urban settlements, and local markets nationwide.

The economic impact of this expansion cannot be ignored. OPay’s operations have directly and indirectly created thousands of employment opportunities for Nigerians, including POS operators, customer support personnel, logistics providers, technology professionals, field marketers, and merchant partners. During one of the company’s regulatory engagements, reports indicated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission acknowledged OPay’s strong Nigerian workforce participation, making it one of the leading employment-driven fintech institutions in the country.

Beyond financial transactions, OPay’s expanding Corporate Social Responsibility programmes have also contributed significantly to its positive public image. The company has invested heavily in education, youth empowerment, digital literacy, and community development initiatives across Nigeria.

One of its most ambitious interventions is the ₦1.2 billion 10-year scholarship programme designed to support Nigerian students in tertiary institutions nationwide. Reports indicate that over ₦126 million has already been disbursed to hundreds of students across several institutions under the programme.

The company’s CSR footprint extends even further. Available reports show that over 11,000 children have benefited from various intervention programmes, more than 40 schools have received educational support, while several communities across Nigeria have benefited from empowerment and digital inclusion projects. OPay also recently introduced the CyberLabs initiative aimed at equipping Nigerian students with practical cybersecurity and digital innovation skills necessary for the evolving global digital economy.

Significantly, OPay’s improving institutional reputation became more visible when the company received the Fintech Company of the Year Award for the second consecutive time at the Leadership Annual Conference and Awards in Abuja. Receiving the award on behalf of the company, Dr. Maxwell Patrick Uloko reaffirmed OPay’s commitment to secure financial services, innovation, customer protection, and economic empowerment.

Critically examining the rumours surrounding OPay, there remains no credible evidence suggesting that the company is preparing to shut down operations in Nigeria. On the contrary, the fintech giant has continued expanding offices, deepening community investments, strengthening customer engagement, and increasing support for educational and empowerment initiatives nationwide.

The danger associated with spreading false and unverified information against major financial institutions cannot be overstated. Rumours capable of triggering public panic could negatively affect rural businesses, weaken investor confidence, disrupt POS operations, and destabilize Nigeria’s broader financial inclusion agenda.

If a company with such extensive grassroots economic impact were unfairly undermined through misinformation campaigns, thousands of Nigerians dependent on its services for daily survival could face serious hardship. Rural traders, students, transport operators, artisans, SMEs, and local market women like Mrs. Ene Oche who rely on OPay’s digital infrastructure would likely be among the hardest affected.

In a developing economy where digital finance is becoming central to national growth, institutions like OPay remain critical economic assets. Constructive criticism, public scrutiny, and regulatory accountability are legitimate necessities. However, deliberate falsehoods and panic-driven narratives against legally operating institutions ultimately damage national economic interests and discourage investment confidence.

Ultimately, facts remain superior to rumours. And the facts available today clearly show that OPay is not collapsing; rather, it is expanding, employing, investing, empowering communities, and strengthening financial inclusion across Nigeria under a leadership structure that continues to prioritize innovation, trust, accessibility, and social impact.

At a time when social media speculation and unverified claims are increasingly shaping public perception, one Nigerian fintech institution that has recently become the subject of widespread rumours is OPay. Yet, beyond the sensational narratives being circulated online, verifiable facts, statistics, and institutional realities clearly indicate that OPay remains one of the strongest and fastest-growing digital financial service providers in Nigeria and Africa.

Ironically, despite its enormous economic contributions, many analysts believe OPay remains one of the most underpublicized corporate success stories in Nigeria’s financial technology sector. While the company’s POS network, financial inclusion drive, scholarship programmes, and employment opportunities continue impacting millions of lives daily, public conversations around the brand are often overshadowed by misinformation, controversy, or deliberate false narratives rather than its measurable developmental contributions to society.

More importantly, industry observers believe the company’s growing public confidence and institutional stability have been significantly strengthened through the strategic public engagement efforts of Dr. Maxwell Patrick Uloko, the Vice President, Public and Government Affairs at OPay Nigeria. Since assuming leadership responsibilities in public and government affairs, Dr. Uloko has consistently projected OPay as a responsible, regulation-compliant, and socially responsive financial institution committed to grassroots financial inclusion and national economic development.

Since its official launch in Nigeria in 2018 following Opera’s acquisition of PayCom Nigeria, OPay has evolved from a mobile payment platform into a major financial ecosystem serving millions of Nigerians through money transfers, POS operations, merchant payments, airtime purchases, debit card services, and digital banking solutions. The company was established with the mission of making financial services more inclusive through technology.

Today, OPay’s influence cuts across urban centres and rural communities alike. Reports indicate that the fintech giant supports millions of users nationwide through a vast network of over 500,000 POS agents and merchants operating across Nigeria. These agents have become critical to local economies, especially in underserved rural areas where access to conventional banking infrastructure remains limited. Through this extensive POS ecosystem, countless Nigerians now conduct daily transactions without travelling long distances to commercial bank branches.

A practical example of OPay’s growing grassroots importance can be seen in Otukpa, headquarters of Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, where local traders and residents increasingly depend on digital financial platforms for their daily survival and business activities.

At the popular Edeh Market in Otukpa, Mrs. Ene Oche, a local garri trader, represents thousands of rural market women whose businesses have gradually been transformed through easy-to-use digital transfer services provided by fintech platforms like OPay. According to observations within the market environment, many customers no longer move around with large volumes of cash due to insecurity concerns and the convenience associated with instant digital payments.

For traders like Mrs. Ene Oche, OPay has become more than just a mobile banking application; it now serves as an informal economic lifeline simplifying commercial transactions within the local market. Buyers purchasing garri, beans, vegetables, yam flour, and other food items can now transfer money instantly through nearby POS agents or directly through mobile transfers without delays traditionally associated with cash shortages or banking difficulties.

Residents within Otukpa also increasingly depend on OPay services for school fees payments, hospital bills, contribution levies, transport fares, and emergency family support transfers. In communities where commercial banking infrastructure remains inadequate, digital finance platforms have become practical alternatives helping ordinary citizens participate more effectively within the modern economy.

Market observers note that before the widespread penetration of fintech services, many traders often lost customers or sold goods on credit whenever buyers lacked physical cash. Today, the availability of OPay agents and digital payment channels has significantly improved transaction confidence, reduced financial stress, and strengthened commercial activities even within rural settlements.

Analysts believe this growing grassroots acceptance is partly connected to OPay’s deliberate financial inclusion policies and aggressive community engagement strategy championed by Dr. Maxwell Patrick Uloko. Under his public affairs leadership, the company has increasingly projected itself not merely as an urban fintech institution, but as a people-oriented financial platform accessible to ordinary Nigerians across villages, semi-urban settlements, and local markets nationwide.

The economic impact of this expansion cannot be ignored. OPay’s operations have directly and indirectly created thousands of employment opportunities for Nigerians, including POS operators, customer support personnel, logistics providers, technology professionals, field marketers, and merchant partners. During one of the company’s regulatory engagements, reports indicated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission acknowledged OPay’s strong Nigerian workforce participation, making it one of the leading employment-driven fintech institutions in the country.

Beyond financial transactions, OPay’s expanding Corporate Social Responsibility programmes have also contributed significantly to its positive public image. The company has invested heavily in education, youth empowerment, digital literacy, and community development initiatives across Nigeria.

One of its most ambitious interventions is the ₦1.2 billion 10-year scholarship programme designed to support Nigerian students in tertiary institutions nationwide. Reports indicate that over ₦126 million has already been disbursed to hundreds of students across several institutions under the programme.

The company’s CSR footprint extends even further. Available reports show that over 11,000 children have benefited from various intervention programmes, more than 40 schools have received educational support, while several communities across Nigeria have benefited from empowerment and digital inclusion projects. OPay also recently introduced the CyberLabs initiative aimed at equipping Nigerian students with practical cybersecurity and digital innovation skills necessary for the evolving global digital economy.

Significantly, OPay’s improving institutional reputation became more visible when the company received the Fintech Company of the Year Award for the second consecutive time at the Leadership Annual Conference and Awards in Abuja. Receiving the award on behalf of the company, Dr. Maxwell Patrick Uloko reaffirmed OPay’s commitment to secure financial services, innovation, customer protection, and economic empowerment.

Critically examining the rumours surrounding OPay, there remains no credible evidence suggesting that the company is preparing to shut down operations in Nigeria. On the contrary, the fintech giant has continued expanding offices, deepening community investments, strengthening customer engagement, and increasing support for educational and empowerment initiatives nationwide.

The danger associated with spreading false and unverified information against major financial institutions cannot be overstated. Rumours capable of triggering public panic could negatively affect rural businesses, weaken investor confidence, disrupt POS operations, and destabilize Nigeria’s broader financial inclusion agenda.

If a company with such extensive grassroots economic impact were unfairly undermined through misinformation campaigns, thousands of Nigerians dependent on its services for daily survival could face serious hardship. Rural traders, students, transport operators, artisans, SMEs, and local market women like Mrs. Ene Oche who rely on OPay’s digital infrastructure would likely be among the hardest affected.

In a developing economy where digital finance is becoming central to national growth, institutions like OPay remain critical economic assets. Constructive criticism, public scrutiny, and regulatory accountability are legitimate necessities. However, deliberate falsehoods and panic-driven narratives against legally operating institutions ultimately damage national economic interests and discourage investment confidence.

Ultimately, facts remain superior to rumours. And the facts available today clearly show that OPay is not collapsing; rather, it is expanding, employing, investing, empowering communities, and strengthening financial inclusion across Nigeria under a leadership structure that continues to prioritize innovation, trust, accessibility, and social impact.

Aaron Mike Odeh, A Public Affairs Analyst, Capacity Development Expert, Media Consultant and Community Development Advocate wrote from Post Army Housing Estate Kurudu Abuja

The Minority Leader of the 9th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, OON, has called on journalists, political actors and citizens to unite against the growing threat of disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that fake news and propaganda could undermine Nigeria’s democracy if left unchecked.

Elumelu made the call on Tuesday while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council Press Week Lecture and Awards Night event at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

Speaking on the theme, “2027 Election: Defending Democracy in the Era of Disinformation,” the immediate past Minority Leader of the House of Representatives described the issue of disinformation as one of the greatest threats confronting the nation’s democratic process.

“At the moment, Nigeria stands at a defining moment in its democratic journey. As we look ahead to the 2027 general elections, we are confronted not only with familiar political challenges but also with a rapidly evolving and more complex threat; the weaponisation of disinformation.

“Disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda have moved from the fringes to take center stage as dangerous tools for manipulation of political discourse; unleashing negative energies that distort public perception and opinion, weaken institutions, erode public trust, instigate divisions, restiveness and violence and corrupt electoral outcomes.

“Of course, democracy thrives when citizens are well informed and able to make rational choices. However, when the public space is saturated with falsehoods, distortions, and manipulative narratives, the foundation of democracy itself becomes fractured. In such an environment, the integrity of elections is threatened long before ballots are cast.

“Disturbingly, as we approach the 2027 general elections, we are confronted with the threats of fabricated news stories, Artificial Intelligence generated as well as doctored images and videos, false data and figures crafted by campaigners of falsehood to inflame passions, scandalize individuals and discredit institutions,” Elumelu said.

The former lawmaker noted that the media remained the cornerstone of every democratic society and urged journalists not to compromise professionalism and ethical standards in the race for breaking news.

“The media must never surrender to agents of disinformation. Accuracy should never be sacrificed on the altar of immediacy and speed. Therefore, media houses must face the challenge on meeting the yearning of a society on the fast lane by strengthening their capacity to blend fact and speed to outwit purveyors of fake news.

“Ethical journalism must continue to guide reportage, particularly during electoral cycles. Objectivity, fairness, and balance are not optional; they are essential. Beyond reporting, the media also has a responsibility to educate citizens, helping them to recognize false information and make informed decisions.

“The media must be ready and equipped to rapidly detect and counter disinformation by enhancing their capacity for in-depth reportage anchored on credible sources and reinforced reporting techniques on where, when, how, what and who,” he stated.

Elumelu also warned journalists against allowing politicians to manipulate reports for selfish interests, insisting that the media should deny prominence to politicians who engage in falsehood and character assassination instead of issue-based campaigns.

“The media must refuse to create space for non-performing and unpopular politicians who, having no achievements or electoral credentials to campaign with, engage in falsehood, defamation and negative propaganda against opponents and political institutions.

“As we approach the 2027 elections, I urge the political class to ensure to play by the rules. We must act as patriots, imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and not seek political power by all means.

“Those seeking elective offices must be ready to present their scorecards, competencies and vision instead of resorting to acts of desperation, spreading falsehood, promoting divisive arguments and overheating the polity to achieve selfish aims,” he added.

Earlier in her welcome address, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, described the theme of the Press Week as timely and significant, stressing that journalists had a major role to play in safeguarding democracy and public trust.

“This year’s theme, ‘2027 Election: Defending Nigeria’s Democracy in the Era of Disinformation,’ is not only timely, but deeply significant. As our nation moves closer to another critical electoral season, the challenge before us is clear: to protect the truth, defend democratic values, and resist the dangerous spread of falsehood, propaganda, and manipulated narratives that threaten the peace and unity of our country.

“The media occupies a strategic place in any democracy. Journalists are not merely observers of events; we are custodians of truth, watchdogs of society, and defenders of the public interest.

“In an age where misinformation spreads rapidly through digital platforms, the responsibility on journalists has become even heavier. We must continue to verify facts, present balanced reporting, and uphold the ethics that give credibility to our profession,” she said.

Ike commended Elumelu for accepting to deliver the keynote lecture, describing him as a distinguished statesman whose insights on governance and democracy would enrich public discourse.

She also appreciated the presence of the Chairman of the occasion and Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago, the Co-Chairman and former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, as well as the National President of the NUJ, Alhassan Yahya, for their support and commitment to democratic engagement.

She further said the awards presented during the event were meant to honour professionalism, courage and integrity in journalism and corporate leadership.

“The awards we confer tonight are not merely tokens of recognition; they are a tribute to hard work, courage, professionalism, and integrity.

“As we celebrate, let us also renew our resolve to defend democracy through responsible journalism. Let us continue to speak truth to power, reject disinformation, and uphold the standards that define our noble profession.

“The future of our democracy depends in no small measure on the courage, discipline, and integrity of the media,” Ike stated.