The Independent Public Service Accountability Watch (IPSAW) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately remove the Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, over what it described as “gross incompetence and abuse of public office” in the agency’s enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic beverages.
Addressing a press conference at the Ministry of Health in Abuja on Thursday, IPSAW Executive Director, Amb. Stephen Eriba, accused the NAFDAC boss of disregarding government directives, undermining existing regulatory frameworks, and pursuing policies capable of destabilising businesses and threatening thousands of jobs across the alcoholic beverage value chain.
The group alleged that NAFDAC’s enforcement actions contravene provisions of the National Alcohol Policy and violate resolutions of the House of Representatives, which had earlier called for restraint on the implementation of the ban pending broader stakeholder engagement.
IPSAW argued that the move could have far-reaching economic consequences, warning that the continued enforcement of the restriction may cripple affected manufacturing companies, disrupt investments, reduce government revenue, and worsen unemployment at a time the Federal Government is seeking to stimulate economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The Director-General must be relieved of her position without further delay. Her actions have created uncertainty within the industry and are capable of frustrating efforts aimed at strengthening economic recovery and investor confidence,” Eriba said.
The organisation further contended that sachet and small-volume alcoholic beverages were introduced to provide affordable options for low-income adult consumers and should not be arbitrarily removed from the market without empirical evidence supporting claims of widespread abuse.
IPSAW also challenged assertions that the products encourage underage drinking, insisting that industry operators have invested heavily in responsible drinking campaigns and awareness programmes aimed at preventing alcohol abuse and restricting access by minors.
According to the group, billions of naira have been invested in public sensitisation efforts across the country to promote responsible alcohol consumption and strengthen compliance with age-restriction regulations.
The watchdog maintained that while it supports measures aimed at eliminating unsafe and substandard products from the market, regulatory decisions must be based on credible research, verifiable data, and broad stakeholder consultations rather than what it described as “emotional considerations.”
In a strongly worded warning, IPSAW cautioned that enforcing the ban could create unintended consequences, including the proliferation of illicit and unregulated alcoholic products, increased smuggling, loss of government revenue, and further hardship for businesses operating within the sector.
The group warned that failure to review the policy could jeopardise the livelihoods of workers, distributors, retailers, and other stakeholders dependent on the alcoholic beverage industry, while potentially exposing consumers to unsafe alternatives.
IPSAW therefore urged President Tinubu to intervene decisively, insisting that the continued stay of the NAFDAC Director-General in office is “no longer in the public interest” and could undermine confidence in government policies and regulatory institutions.
The organisation called for an immediate review of the enforcement measures and renewed engagement with industry stakeholders to prevent what it described as a looming economic and regulatory crisis.
