The Muslim Lecturers Association (MLA) has officially declared its full support for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regarding the recent ban on the production, distribution, and sale of sachet alcoholic drinks.
In a formal statement released by MLA President, Prof. Wasiu Olabamiji Ajagbe, the association characterized the policy as a “life-saving national imperative” essential for protecting Nigeria’s public health and social stability.
The MLA highlighted several critical reasons for supporting the ban, noting that the mass commercialization of cheap alcohol (often called pẹlẹbẹ, barasa a leda, or ogogoro) has led to a national crisis:
Public Health Crisis: Citing the World Health Organization (WHO), the MLA noted that alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen. Its consumption is directly linked to rising cases of liver disease, mental health disorders, and addiction.
Targeting the Vulnerable: The low cost and aggressive marketing of sachets make high-concentration spirits dangerously accessible to youths and economically disadvantaged citizens.
Social Instability: The association linked the availability of sachet gins to increased rates of road accidents, domestic violence, school dropouts, and community crime.
Addressing the recent protests by manufacturers and marketers, Prof. Ajagbe emphasized that NAFDAC is operating within its legal mandate under the NAFDAC Act (Cap N1, LFN 2004).
”While we acknowledge the economic arguments regarding job preservation, an economy fueled by widespread addiction is fundamentally unsustainable. The long-term costs of healthcare and lost productivity far outweigh any short-term commercial gains.”
