Tinubu Urged to Fire NAFDAC DG as IPSAW Protests Sachet Alcohol Ban in Abuja

The Independent Public Service Accountability Watch (IPSAW) on Thursday staged a protest at the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately dismiss the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, over what it described as gross incompetence and abuse of public office.

The protest was led by the Executive Director of IPSAW, Ambassador Stephen Eriba, who accused the NAFDAC boss of unlawfully enforcing a ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and 200ml PET bottles.

Addressing journalists during the protest, Eriba said the agency’s action violated the provisions of the National Alcohol Policy already approved by the Federal Ministry of Health and currently in force.

He also alleged that the enforcement contradicted a presidential directive restraining NAFDAC from disrupting the operations of affected companies pending the outcome of a joint committee set up to review the matter.

According to him, the enforcement of the ban could trigger widespread economic and social consequences, including potential civil unrest and disruption of businesses involved in the production and distribution of the affected products.

He further argued that the decision ignored a resolution of the House of Representatives issued after a public hearing with key stakeholders on March 14, 2024, which urged NAFDAC to halt the ban and described the move as anti-people.

IPSAW maintained that the introduction of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small PET bottles was designed to cater to low-income adult consumers who prefer smaller and more affordable quantities, stressing that banning the products would deny such consumers the freedom of choice.

The group also disputed claims that sachet alcohol encourages abuse, insisting that smaller packaging may instead discourage excessive consumption typically associated with larger containers.

Eriba noted that local manufacturers produce sachet alcohol under hygienic conditions and with regulatory approval, including certification from NAFDAC itself.

He added that industry operators have invested heavily in public awareness campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption and discouraging underage drinking.

While expressing support for regulatory efforts aimed at removing unsafe products from the market, IPSAW said such decisions should be based on empirical evidence rather than what it called emotional or unverified claims.

The group warned that enforcing the ban could lead to job losses across the alcohol production value chain, encourage the proliferation of illicit and unregulated products, and result in revenue losses for the government.

IPSAW therefore urged President Tinubu to take decisive action by removing the NAFDAC Director-General from office, arguing that her continued stay in office was no longer in the public interest.