Oluwatobi Adu 
NAFDAC Resident Media and Communications Consultant, Sayo Akintola,
ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says its nationwide enforcement against sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages packaged below 200 millilitres is aimed at reducing underage drinking, insisting that the operation will continue until the banned products are completely removed from circulation.
In an exclusive interview with Africa Health Report, NAFDAC’s Resident Media and Communications Consultant, Sayo Akintola, said the policy was informed by findings from a joint survey conducted by the agency and industry stakeholders, which showed widespread exposure of schoolchildren to alcohol.
“According to a survey conducted by the industry operators and NAFDAC, an alarming percentage of our schoolchildren are exposed to alcohol. This is unacceptable. This prompted the Federal Ministry of Health over six years ago to ban alcohol in sachets below 200ml,” Akintola said.
He explained that although the Federal Ministry of Health approved the ban more than six years ago, manufacturers were initially granted a five-year moratorium to clear existing stock before enforcement began.
“The various extensions were going on, and our youths’ future was being mortgaged at the altar of huge profits accruing to the manufacturers. It got to a point that the DG NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, had to put down her foot that enough is enough,” he said.
He disclosed that protesting manufacturers, supported by their unions and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), temporarily shut NAFDAC offices in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory in opposition to the ban.
Despite the protests, Akintola said the agency maintained that protecting children from early exposure to alcohol outweighed commercial interests.
“This is not going to be a one-off thing. The exercise will continue until the system is completely rid of these dangerous products to our children,” he added.
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Oluwafunbi Bello 