…they accused NAFDAC of disregarding what they described as directives from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation
LAGOS, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday witnessed a protest at its Lagos office as members of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) gathered to demand a suspension of the sachet alcohol ban.
The demonstrators, mostly employees of distillery firms affected by the restriction, demanded the release of products allegedly seized by the agency and the reopening of factories and depots sealed during recent enforcement operations. Singing solidarity songs and displaying placards, they accused NAFDAC of disregarding what they described as directives from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The protesters insisted that NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, should comply with federal instructions they claimed called for a temporary halt to enforcement of the sachet alcohol ban pending further clarification. Industry stakeholders argued that continued sealing of facilities contradicted the spirit of the SGF’s earlier clarification and was resulting in financial losses, job disruptions, and hardship for workers.
As of press time, the protest remained peaceful, though security presence around the NAFDAC premises was intensified. Efforts to mediate between the union and the agency were ongoing.
In response, NAFDAC dismissed claims that the Federal Government had ordered it to suspend enforcement against sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottled alcoholic drinks, describing such reports as false and misleading.
In a statement, Adeyeye said the agency had not received any formal directive instructing it to halt regulatory actions on sachet alcohol products. She maintained that NAFDAC operates strictly within its legal mandate and in accordance with officially communicated government policies, stressing that enforcement activities are guided by existing laws and regulatory frameworks.
“At no time has the Agency received any formal directive ordering the suspension of its regulatory or enforcement activities in respect of sachet alcohol products,” she stated.
Adeyeye added that the agency had commenced evaluation of non-compliant sachet alcohol and sub-200ml PET bottled products, noting concerns that a significant proportion of minors patronize retailers of such drinks.
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to public health protection and warned against the circulation of unverified information, cautioning that such reports could create unnecessary anxiety and economic uncertainty.
The agency also refuted claims that its Lagos office was shut down as a result of the protest, clarifying that operations continued uninterrupted despite the demonstration outside its premises.
“Normal activities are ongoing, and there has been no shutdown of any kind,” the agency said, reiterating that enforcement of the sachet alcohol ban remains in effect and will not be compromised by misinformation or external pressure.
Meanwhile, the OSGF clarified that no fresh directive had been issued to NAFDAC regarding enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottles. The clarification followed renewed circulation of a document suggesting new intervention by the OSGF and ONSA.
Terrence Kuanam, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, explained that the document being circulated was originally released in December 2025 and was mistakenly presented as a new directive due to a communication error and recent media analysis.
He disclosed that the OSGF had written to both NAFDAC and the Federal Ministry of Health in November 2025 seeking their positions on the matter. While the Health Ministry responded, NAFDAC had yet to submit its formal reply.
Kuanam said concerns had earlier been raised about the potential economic and security implications of sealing factories and warehouses without a fully operational National Alcohol Policy. He added that until NAFDAC provides its response, the government cannot determine the next course of action, emphasizing the need to balance public health objectives with economic stability.
