Sachet alcohol ban: Group faces NAFDAC, reports policy violations

A civil society group, Concerned Citizens for Change, has called for the immediate removal of the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, accusing him of gross incompetence and abuse of office over the enforcement of the ban on alcohol in sachets and alcoholic products in small PET bottles.

At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the group’s executive director, Stephen Eriba, criticized what he described as the “arbitrary and illegal” application of the restriction, insisting that it contravenes existing national policy frameworks.

Eriba argued that the ban violates the provisions of the National Alcohol Policy approved by the Federal Ministry of Health and also ignores a presidential directive halting enforcement actions pending the outcome of a joint commission review.

According to him, the decision further contradicts the resolutions of the House of Representatives, which after consultation with interested parties and a public hearing, had advised against such a ban and had defined it as anti-people.

The group warned that the policy could have a negative impact on businesses, employment and public revenues, while also risking increased circulation of illicit and unregulated alcohol products in the market.

He also rejected claims that sachet alcohol encourages abuse, arguing that smaller packaging could help moderate consumption among users.

The group added that locally produced sachet alcohol products are certified by regulatory authorities and manufactured under hygienic conditions.

Eriba noted that industry players have already invested significant resources in campaigns that promote responsible alcohol consumption and discourage underage drinking.

While expressing support for efforts to eliminate unsafe products, the group emphasized that regulatory decisions should be based on empirical evidence rather than what it calls “emotional persuasion.”

The group, therefore, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action by removing the Director General of NAFDAC, saying his continued tenure was no longer in the public interest.

NAFDAC has yet to officially respond to the allegations at the time of filing this report.