The Director-General of Ontop Care Foundation, Stanley Ajemba, has called for the resignation of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, over what he described as gaps in the regulation of food, medicines, beverages and household products.
Ajemba said the circulation of counterfeit, adulterated and substandard products remained a major concern, urging NAFDAC to strengthen its monitoring and enforcement activities across the country.
He said many Nigerians consume or use different products daily without being able to independently confirm their authenticity or safety.
Ajemba raised particular concern about beverages, including soft drinks, alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic beverages, saying stronger measures were needed to prevent unsafe products from reaching consumers.
He, however, cautioned against directly linking diseases such as cancer and kidney disease to counterfeit food or drinks without scientific evidence, noting that such illnesses could have several causes.
The foundation’s director urged regulatory authorities to improve surveillance, enforcement, consumer education and accountability throughout the supply chain.
His call came amid the ongoing debate over restrictions on sachet alcohol.
Ajemba argued that while efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm were important, similar attention should be given to counterfeit beverages, adulterated food, fake consumer goods and other potentially harmful products.
He said Nigerians deserved a regulatory system that addressed consumer and public-health concerns comprehensively and transparently.
Ajemba also referred to the tenure of the late Prof. Dora Akunyili as NAFDAC Director-General, saying her highly visible campaign against fake and substandard medicines had shaped public expectations of the agency.
He called for a reassessment of NAFDAC’s leadership, saying the agency should demonstrate stronger action to protect Nigerians from unsafe products.
The foundation said its position formed part of its wider campaign for greater accountability in the regulation of food, medicines, beverages and other consumer products.
