NYSA: Alcohol Ban Enforcement Undermines Economy, Calls for NAFDAC DG’s Removal

The Nigerian Youth Solidarity Assembly (NYSA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately dismiss the Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, over what it described as gross incompetence and abuse of office in the enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottled alcoholic beverages.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the Secretary-General of the assembly, Comrade Okwute Hilary Akor, expressed dissatisfaction with what he termed NAFDAC’s “arbitrary and unlawful” enforcement of the restriction, arguing that the action contradicts existing government directives and undermines the country’s economic recovery efforts.

According to the group, the agency’s action violates the National Alcohol Policy and disregards earlier directives suspending further enforcement pending the outcome of consultations by a joint committee. NYSA also alleged that the enforcement runs contrary to resolutions of the House of Representatives, which had urged the agency to halt implementation following consultations with stakeholders.

The assembly warned that the continued enforcement of the ban could have far-reaching social, economic and political consequences if not urgently reviewed.

It argued that the restriction could lead to job losses across the manufacturing and distribution value chain, threaten the survival of indigenous beverage producers, reduce government revenue, and encourage the proliferation of illicit, substandard and smuggled alcoholic products.

NYSA further maintained that the policy could negatively affect low-income adult consumers who rely on smaller packaging options, insisting that the products provide consumers with affordable choices rather than encouraging alcohol abuse.

The group also disputed claims that sachet alcohol promotes underage drinking, saying available industry-supported awareness campaigns and responsible drinking initiatives have already strengthened measures against underage alcohol consumption.

While reaffirming its support for efforts aimed at eliminating unsafe and unregulated products from the market, the assembly insisted that regulatory decisions should be guided by credible empirical evidence and broad stakeholder consultation rather than what it described as emotional considerations.

The group cautioned that failure to address the issue could fuel public
dissatisfaction, weaken investor confidence in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, disrupt businesses, and generate avoidable political tensions at a time when the government is pursuing economic reforms.

NYSA consequently urged President Tinubu to remove the NAFDAC Director-General from office, arguing that such action would restore confidence in regulatory institutions and safeguard jobs, businesses and the broader economy.

The agency had not responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.