By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

The Federal Government has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to immediately suspend enforcement actions linked to the ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle products, citing economic and national security concerns.

The directive, issued jointly by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), warned that continued enforcement without a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy could worsen unemployment and trigger avoidable security challenges.

In a statement by the SGF’s Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Terrence Kuanum, the government said the National Alcohol Policy has been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health under President Bola Tinubu’s directive, but NAFDAC must not seal factories or warehouses until the policy is fully operational.

The government said the ongoing “de facto banning” of sachet alcohol products was already disrupting employment, supply chains and informal distribution networks nationwide.

It added that any enforcement action carried out by NAFDAC without clearance from the OSGF would be considered invalid.

The directive followed a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control dated November 13, 2025, referencing National Assembly resolutions cautioning against the ban.

The FG said it is reviewing legislative, public health and economic considerations and promised a final decision in due course.

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has refuted claims circulating on social media that it has banned the antibiotic Amoxicillin in Nigeria.

In a public notice posted on its official X handle on Monday, the agency described the report as false and misleading, stressing that there is no blanket or secret ban on the drug.

“NAFDAC has not banned Amoxicillin in Nigeria, either secretly or openly. As a responsible regulatory authority, the agency publicly notifies Nigerians of any regulatory actions through official channels,” it stated.

NAFDAC explained that it only issues targeted safety alerts, recalls and blacklists for specific substandard or affected batches of medicines, not entire drug categories.

It noted that such notices always include product details such as batch numbers, manufacturers and recommended actions.

The agency cited recent examples involving specific Amoxicillin products. In August 2025, it recalled Amoxivue 500mg capsules over low active pharmaceutical ingredient content.

In October 2025, it also issued alerts on substandard batches of Astamocil, Astamentin, Annmox and Jawamox suspensions.

NAFDAC urged the public and healthcare professionals to rely on verified information from its official channels to avoid misinformation.

By Rofiat Olokuta 

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), has urged Nigerians to take early action against cancer by promoting prevention, early detection and timely treatment.

The agency said many cancer related deaths in the country could be reduced through regular health checks and prompt medical attention, noting that late presentation remains a major challenge in managing cancer cases.

NOA encouraged Nigerians to understand common cancer risk factors, recognise early warning signs and embrace routine screening, particularly for breast, cervical and prostate cancers.

World Cancer Day is observed annually on February 4 to promote cancer education, support early diagnosis and improve access to effective treatment, while also tackling stigma and misinformation.

The agency also called on individuals, communities and organisations to support awareness programmes and preventive measures to reduce the burden of cancer in Nigeria.