CSOs Demand NAFDAC DG's Removal Over Alcohol Ban

On Wednesday, several civil society organizations (CSOs) staged a protest in Abuja demanding the removal of Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The protest was led by the Coalition of Unemployed People in Nigeria (CUPN) and supported by various youth groups and market associations. They accused NAFDAC of implementing a ban on 200ml sachet alcohol beverages without adequate consultation, which they described as a reckless economic disruption policy.

Comrade Kored Omoniyi, the CUPN leader, claimed that the enforcement of the ban reflects gross incompetence and a disregard for due process. The coalition referenced a resolution from the House of Representatives dated March 14, 2024, which advised against the immediate implementation of the ban.

They argued that the ban could lead to massive job losses and worsen unemployment, particularly affecting small and medium enterprises. The coalition called for urgent intervention from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to safeguard jobs and preserve economic stability.