No fewer than 1,000 civil society organisations on Wednesday staged a coordinated protest in Abuja, demanding the immediate removal of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, over the enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic beverages.

The protest, led by the Coalition for Unemployed People in Nigeria (CUPN) and supported by youth groups, market associations and small-scale business advocates, described the policy as economically disruptive and poorly implemented.

Addressing journalists at the protest venue, CUPN leader, Comrade Korede Omoniyi, alleged that the enforcement of the ban reflects incompetence and disregard for due process.

He argued that the decision contradicts existing regulatory frameworks and undermines ongoing economic recovery efforts of the Federal Government.

Omoniyi claimed that the directive runs contrary to provisions of the National Alcohol Policy endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Health, which he said remains operational.

He also alleged that there had been prior directives advising regulatory caution pending the outcome of consultations by a joint review committee, adding that proceeding with enforcement despite these developments demonstrates insensitivity to stakeholder engagement.

“The enforcement is authoritarian and high-handed. It ignores economic realities and dismisses the voices of thousands of Nigerians whose livelihoods depend on this value chain,” he said.

The coalition referenced a resolution of the House of Representatives dated March 14, 2024, which it said advised against the immediate implementation of the ban following public hearings and stakeholder engagements.

According to the group, lawmakers had raised concerns about the socio-economic implications of the policy.

The protesters warned that the ban could trigger job losses across manufacturing, distribution, retail and logistics sectors.

They argued that sachet and small PET alcoholic beverages were introduced to meet the purchasing power of low-income adult consumers while ensuring regulatory oversight.

The coalition further expressed concerns that the policy could encourage the proliferation of illicit and unregulated alcohol products, posing greater public health risks.

According to the group, regulated sachet alcohol products are manufactured under hygienic conditions and certified by NAFDAC, with compliance checks regularly conducted to ensure safety standards.

The protesters dismissed claims that sachet packaging significantly contributes to underage drinking and alcohol abuse, insisting that there is insufficient empirical evidence to support such assertions.

They maintained that while they support strict measures against adulterated and unsafe alcoholic beverages, regulatory actions must be evidence-based and economically balanced.
The coalition disclosed that it has petitioned the Senate to intervene and conduct a broader review of the policy.

They also called on president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to relieve Prof. Adeyeye of her duties, arguing that her continued stay in office is not in the national interest.