NEWS
NAFDAC Raises Alarm Over Alcohol Abuse, Links Excessive Consumption to Banditry, Road Crashes and Rising Youth Suicide Risk in Nigeria
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has intensified the national conversation on substance abuse, warning that excessive alcohol consumption is fueling a wave of social and security challenges across Nigeria.
Addressing stakeholders at a public engagement forum, Prof. Adeyeye underscored that alcohol abuse has evolved beyond a public health concern into a multifaceted crisis with far-reaching implications for national stability. She highlighted mounting evidence linking heavy alcohol intake to violent conduct, criminality, and a surge in preventable tragedies on Nigerian roads.
Central to the agency’s concern is the proliferation of alcoholic beverages packaged in small, low-cost sachets, which she identified as a major driver of underage drinking and impulsive behavior. The easy accessibility and affordability of such products, she noted, have lowered the barrier to consumption among youths and vulnerable populations, increasing exposure to harmful patterns of drinking at an early age.
The NAFDAC chief further pointed to the disturbing correlation between intoxication and violent crimes, including banditry, as well as fatal road accidents triggered by drunk driving.
According to her, the ripple effects of alcohol abuse are now being felt across communities, with families bearing the brunt of avoidable losses and social disruption.
Beyond physical harm, Prof. Adeyeye expressed deep concern over the psychological toll of substance abuse on young people. She warned that prolonged alcohol misuse heightens the risk of depression, emotional instability, and suicidal tendencies, compounding Nigeria’s growing mental health challenges.
Her remarks come amid intensified regulatory action against the production and distribution of sachet alcohol nationwide.
NAFDAC, in collaboration with relevant regulatory and enforcement bodies, has sustained efforts to clamp down on unregulated and easily accessible alcoholic products as part of a broader strategy to curb abuse.
The agency maintains that tackling excessive alcohol consumption is not merely a regulatory obligation but a national imperative. By strengthening enforcement, raising public awareness, and promoting responsible consumption, NAFDAC aims to safeguard public health, enhance road safety, and contribute to the broader fight against insecurity in the country.