NAFDAC disowns viral flyer warning Nigerians to stop drinking alcohol

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has debunked a viral flyer warning Nigerians to stop drinking alcohol, describing it as fake and unauthorised.

The agency said the flyer, which bears its name and logo, falsely claims that 90 per cent of alcoholic drinks sold in Nigeria are fake, adulterated and deadly.

NAFDAC made the clarification in a statement posted on its official X handle on Sunday, urging members of the public to disregard the claims.

“The attention of NAFDAC has been drawn to a flyer circulating online, bearing the agency’s name and logo and claiming that 90% of alcoholic drinks sold in Nigeria are fake, adulterated and deadly.

“NAFDAC wishes to categorically state that the flyer was neither produced nor authorised by the agency for circulation. The claims contained in it should be disregarded,” the statement read.

The flyer, titled “Urgent Public Health Warning: Stop Drinking Alcohol Now”, urges Nigerians to stop consuming alcoholic beverages immediately.

It also lists alleged health consequences of drinking the products, including rapid kidney and liver failure, severe vomiting and abdominal pain, permanent blindness and sudden death.

However, NAFDAC advised Nigerians to rely on its verified communication channels for authentic public health alerts and official information.

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“Always verify information before sharing,” the agency added.

The alert appears against a backdrop of genuine and ongoing concerns about counterfeit and adulterated alcoholic beverages in Nigeria.

In recent months, NAFDAC has intensified enforcement operations targeting illegal production and distribution.

In-October 2026, operatives raided more than 20 illegal stores at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, seizing counterfeit and revalidated alcoholic products valued at over ₦2 billion and arresting two suspects.

Adulterated alcohol has been linked to serious health risks, including methanol contamination that can cause blindness, organ damage and death.

NAFDAC has repeatedly advised consumers to buy only from reputable sources, check for valid registration numbers, examine seals and labels carefully, and report suspicious products via its official channels.