Members of the Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) took to the streets outside the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday, demanding the suspension of the ongoing sachet alcohol ban enforcement. The protest, led by workers from distiller companies directly impacted by the ban, aimed to pressure NAFDAC to release products it allegedly held and to reopen facilities and depots that were sealed during the agency’s enforcement operations.
The protesters, chanting solidarity songs and holding placards, accused NAFDAC of ignoring directives from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which, according to them, instructed the suspension of the ban until further clarification could be made. These directives were said to have been issued in response to growing concerns about the economic impact of the enforcement actions, including factory shutdowns and job disruptions.
The workers demanded the immediate cessation of the enforcement actions, asserting that continued closure of factories and seizures of products were causing unnecessary economic hardship and job losses. They argued that the suspension of the sachet alcohol ban enforcement was in line with federal directives and sought compliance from NAFDAC’s leadership, particularly its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who they believed was disregarding the orders from the SGF.
At the time of writing, no reports of violence had emerged from the protest, though security forces had heightened their presence around the NAFDAC office. Mediation efforts between the workers’ union and the regulatory agency were reportedly ongoing.
In a quick rebuttal, NAFDAC issued a statement strongly refuting the claims that the Federal Government had directed a halt to its enforcement of the sachet alcohol ban. The agency described the reports circulating in the media as “false and misleading.”
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement, emphasized that the agency had not received any formal communication from the Federal Government to suspend its regulatory activities. She stated, “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.”
The agency further clarified that its actions were being carried out in strict alignment with its statutory mandate, and that enforcement activities remained consistent with existing laws and government directives. “We operate strictly within the parameters of the law,” Adeyeye added, stressing that the agency’s efforts to regulate sachet alcohol were crucial for safeguarding public health.
NAFDAC also addressed the public health concerns surrounding sachet alcohol, noting that about 50% of minors were patrons of retailers who sold these products. The agency emphasized its role in protecting public health and ensuring that alcohol products were sold and consumed in a manner that adhered to existing legal and safety standards.
Amid the growing confusion, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) issued its own clarification regarding the recent reports. The OSGF denied issuing any new directive halting NAFDAC’s enforcement of the sachet alcohol ban, explaining that the document circulating in the media was a miscommunication. According to Terrence Kuanam, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, the statement had originally been issued in December 2025 and was not a new order as previously suggested.
Kuanam explained that the confusion arose due to a recent news analysis, which led many to believe a new order had been signed. “The statement in question was issued in December 2025, and recent circulation has caused unnecessary confusion,” Kuanam said. He clarified that the OSGF had written to both NAFDAC and the Ministry of Health in November 2025 to request their formal positions on the sachet alcohol ban. The Ministry had responded, but NAFDAC had not, leaving the OSGF unable to make a final determination on the matter.
He further explained that the SGF’s initial intervention was based on concerns regarding the potential economic and security risks posed by the enforcement actions, such as the closure of factories and warehouses. “We are working towards a harmonized framework that balances public health concerns with economic stability,” Kuanam added.
Despite the protests and clarifications from the SGF, NAFDAC has remained firm in its stance, reaffirming its commitment to enforcing the sachet alcohol ban. The agency’s spokesperson further stressed that the enforcement activities would continue as planned, rejecting claims that the protest or any misinformation would alter its course of action.
NAFDAC’s statement highlighted that while the protest occurred outside its premises, it had not disrupted operations in any way. “We categorically state that the protest did not interfere with our operations. Our offices remain fully open, and all regulatory activities are ongoing,” the statement said.
NAFDAC has urged members of the public and the media to rely only on verified information from the agency’s official platforms and official government channels to avoid unnecessary confusion and panic. “We continue to be committed to our statutory role of safeguarding public health,” Adeyeye concluded.
