A civil society group, the Concerned Citizens Network, has called for the immediate dismissal of Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), accusing her of gross incompetence and abuse of office.
Addressing journalists at the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja on Thursday, the group’s President, Dr. Ndubuisi Nwogu, strongly criticised NAFDAC’s enforcement of a ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages packaged in small PET bottles, describing the move as “arbitrary, unlawful, and economically damaging.”
Nwogu argued that the enforcement contradicts the National Alcohol Policy approved by the Federal Ministry of Health and violates a presidential directive restraining NAFDAC from disrupting affected businesses pending the outcome of a joint committee review.
He further stated that the agency’s actions disregard resolutions of the House of Representatives, which, following a public hearing with stakeholders, had directed NAFDAC to halt the implementation of the ban, describing it as anti-people.
“The decision is not only ill-timed but capable of triggering widespread economic and social consequences,” Nwogu said. “It undermines the economic reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and threatens the survival of legitimate businesses operating within the law.”
The group warned that the ban could lead to job losses across the alcohol production value chain, while also encouraging the proliferation of illicit and unregulated products in the market. According to Nwogu, this would ultimately reduce government revenue and expose consumers to unsafe alternatives.
He also dismissed claims that sachet alcohol contributes significantly to abuse, noting that smaller packaging can help moderate consumption.
He added that industry players have invested heavily in campaigns promoting responsible drinking and restricting access to underage consumers.
While acknowledging the need for effective regulation of harmful products, the group insisted that such decisions must be based on credible data and stakeholder engagement rather than “unverified claims and emotional considerations.”
The Concerned Citizens Network therefore urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to act decisively by removing Adeyeye from office, stating that her continued leadership of NAFDAC is no longer in the public interest.
“The country cannot afford regulatory inconsistency and policy contradictions at a time when economic stability is paramount,” Nwogu said.
