Tensions rose at the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday as members of the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) staged a protest against the agency’s enforcement of the ban on sachet and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-bottled alcohol.
The demonstration, monitored by The HR Anchor on Channels Television, saw the union demand that NAFDAC comply with what it described as a directive from the Federal Government to suspend enforcement of the ban.
The protesters called on NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, to unseal production lines that were shut down as part of the agency’s regulatory actions.
However, NAFDAC dismissed claims that the Federal Government had directed it to suspend the ban, describing the reports as “false” and “misleading”.
In a statement signed by Prof. Adeyeye, the agency reiterated its commitment to public health protection and regulatory compliance.
“NAFDAC operates strictly within the ambit of its statutory mandate and in alignment with duly communicated Federal Government policies and directives,” the statement read.
“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 urged the public, industry stakeholders, and the media to disregard the reports and rely only on verified information released through its official platforms and authorised government communication channels, warning that misinformation could cause “unnecessary public anxiety, economic uncertainty, or misinterpretation of government policy”.
