Workers lay siege to NAFDAC office over sachet alcohol ban enforcement

By Sola Ogundipe, Tunde Oso, Chioma Obinna, Omeiza Ajayi, & Joseph Erunke

LAGOS—Members of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association, FOBTOB, yesterday, staged a protest outside the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, demanding the suspension of sachet alcohol ban.

The protesting workers, largely from distiller companies affected by the ban, demanded the immediate release of products allegedly held by NAFDAC and the reopening of factories and depots sealed during recent enforcement operations. Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards, the workers accused the agency of ignoring purported directives from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, and the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA.

According to the protesters, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, should comply with federal directives ordering a suspension of sachet alcohol ban enforcement pending further clarification. Industry stakeholders argued that continued enforcement, including sealing facilities, contradicted the spirit of the SGF’s clarification, leading to economic losses, job disruptions, and potential hardship on workers.

As of press time, there were no reports of violence, though security presence around the NAFDAC office was heightened. Efforts to mediate between the workers’ union and the regulatory agency were ongoing.

No directive to halt enforcement

In a swift reaction, NAFDAC denied reports claiming that the Federal Government directed it to suspend enforcement actions against sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic products, describing the publications as “false and misleading.”

In a statement by Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency said it had not received any formal communication from the Federal Government ordering a halt to its regulatory activities concerning sachet alcohol products.

“The said publication is false, misleading, and does not reflect any official communication received by the Agency from the Federal Government,” NAFDAC stated.

The agency stressed that it operates strictly within its statutory mandate and in alignment with duly communicated government policies and directives, noting that enforcement actions remain 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,” Adeyeye said.

She added that NAFDAC has begun evaluating violative sachet alcohol and alcohol in PET bottles of less than 200ml, noting that about 50 percent of minors and underage individuals patronize retailers of such products.

NAFDAC further reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring compliance within the food and beverage sector. The agency warned against spreading unverified information, cautioning that such reports could cause unnecessary public anxiety, economic uncertainty, and misinterpretation of government policy.

“NAFDAC therefore urges members of the public, industry stakeholders, and the media to disregard false reports and to rely only on verified information issued through the Agency’s official platforms and authorized government communication channels,” Adeyeye said.

The clarification comes amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny of sachet alcohol products, which have been at the center of public health debates due to concerns over accessibility and abuse, particularly among young people.

Lagos office not shut

NAFDAC also debunked media reports that its Lagos office was paralyzed following the protest. The agency described the claims as “false and misleading,” clarifying that while a protest did take place outside its building, it did not impede administrative or regulatory functions.

“We categorically state that this report is false and misleading. The protest, which occurred outside the NAFDAC premises, did not disrupt operations in any way. Our offices remain fully open, and all staff are carrying out their duties without interruption. Normal activities are ongoing, and there has been no shutdown of any kind,” the agency stated.

“NAFDAC remains fully committed to its mandate of safeguarding public health and will continue to enforce all regulatory measures, including the ban on sachet alcohol. The enforcement of this ban remains active and will not be compromised by any external actions or misinformation. We urge the public and media outlets to verify information before publication and to disregard any reports suggesting otherwise,” the statement added.

OSGF clarifies stance

Meanwhile, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) clarified that no new directive had been issued to NAFDAC regarding the enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottles.

The clarification followed widespread circulation of a report suggesting fresh intervention by the OSGF and the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, to halt NAFDAC’s enforcement actions.

Speaking to Vanguard, Terrence Kuanam, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, explained that the statement circulating in the public domain was an old document originally issued in December 2025.

He attributed the confusion to a communication error and a recent news analysis that led many to believe a new order had been signed this week.

Kuanam noted that while the Federal Ministry of Health had provided its position on the ban, NAFDAC had yet to respond to an inquiry sent by the OSGF in November 2025. “We wrote to NAFDAC and the Health Ministry in November to get their informed positions. The minister has responded, but NAFDAC has not. Until they respond, the OSGF will determine the next line of action on the matter,” he said.

According to Kuanam, the current statement regarding a halt of the sachet alcohol ban enforcement was issued in December 2025, but miscommunication caused its recent recirculation.

The OSGF previously expressed concerns that enforcement actions, such as sealing factories and warehouses, could trigger economic disruptions and security risks without a fully operational National Alcohol Policy. The office emphasized that until NAFDAC submits its formal response, no final action on the ban can be determined.

“The initial intervention by the SGF and the National Security Adviser was prompted by the need to balance public health goals with economic stability, particularly regarding employment and informal distribution networks. Despite the recirculated reports, the government maintains that a harmonized framework remains a prerequisite for the full implementation of the policy,” Kuanam added.

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