A civil society group, the Concerned Citizens Network, has criticised NAFDAC’s enforcement of a ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic products, describing the move as “illegal, arbitrary, and anti-people.”
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the group’s President, Ndubuisi Nwogu, argued that the enforcement contradicts existing provisions of the national alcohol policy approved by the Federal Ministry of Health and violates a presidential directive halting further regulatory action pending the outcome of a joint committee review.
The group also alleged that the agency’s action runs contrary to a resolution of the House of Representatives, which had earlier restrained NAFDAC from implementing such a ban following a public hearing with stakeholders.
According to the group, the policy could trigger economic disruption, threaten jobs across the alcohol production value chain, and negatively impact small-scale operators. It warned that the move may also lead to increased circulation of illicit and unregulated alcoholic products, as well as a potential loss of government revenue.
The Concerned Citizens Network further contended that sachet and small-bottle alcohol products serve low-income adult consumers and do not inherently promote abuse. It argued that smaller packaging may, in some cases, discourage excessive consumption compared to larger containers.
The group dismissed claims that the products encourage underage drinking, stating that such assertions lack empirical backing.
It noted that industry stakeholders have invested significant resources in campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption and restricting access to minors.
While expressing support for regulatory efforts to eliminate unsafe products from the market, the group emphasized that such decisions must be based on verifiable data rather than “emotional appeals or unsubstantiated claims.”
Nwogu urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “act decisively” by removing Adeyeye from office, stating that her continued leadership is “no longer in the public interest.”
NAFDAC has yet to officially respond to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.