A civil society organisation, the Concerned Citizens Network, has called for the immediate removal of Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye as Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), alleging incompetence and abuse of office.
The group made the call on Thursday while addressing journalists at the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja, where its President, Ndubuisi Nwogu, criticised the agency’s enforcement of a ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages packaged in small PET bottles.
Nwogu described the policy as “arbitrary, unlawful, and economically damaging,” arguing that it contradicts the National Alcohol Policy approved by the Health Ministry. He also claimed the enforcement violates a presidential directive that advised NAFDAC to refrain from disrupting affected businesses pending the outcome of a joint committee review.
According to him, the agency’s actions further disregard resolutions of the House of Representatives, which had earlier directed NAFDAC to suspend implementation of the ban following a public hearing with stakeholders.
“The decision is not only ill-timed but capable of triggering widespread economic and social consequences,” Nwogu said, warning that it could undermine the economic reform agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and threaten legitimate businesses.
He added that the ban could result in significant job losses across the alcohol production value chain, while also encouraging the rise of illicit and unregulated products. This, he noted, may reduce government revenue and expose consumers to unsafe alternatives.
Nwogu also dismissed claims linking sachet alcohol to widespread abuse, arguing that smaller packaging can help moderate consumption. He said industry stakeholders have invested in campaigns promoting responsible drinking and restricting access to minors.
While acknowledging the importance of regulating harmful products, the group insisted that such policies should be driven by credible data and inclusive stakeholder engagement, rather than what it described as “unverified claims.”
The Concerned Citizens Network therefore urged President Tinubu to take decisive action by removing Adeyeye, 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.
