Protesters Demand NAFDAC Director's Removal Over Alcohol Ban

On Thursday, a group named Concerned Citizens staged a protest at the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja, accusing the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of defying government directives. The protesters called for the immediate removal of NAFDAC's Director General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, alleging incompetence and abuse of office.

They claimed that NAFDAC's enforcement of a ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcohol products violated existing national policy guidelines. During the protest, the group's Executive Director, Stephen Eriba, stated that NAFDAC's actions contravened directives from the Federal Ministry of Health and disregarded a presidential order to halt enforcement against affected companies pending a review.

The group warned that enforcing the ban could lead to adverse economic consequences, including job losses and a rise in illicit alcohol products. They argued that sachet alcohol products cater to low-income adults and should not be banned without credible evidence of harm.