A recent outbreak of methanol poisoning in Odigbo and Irele Local Government Areas of Ondo State has resulted in 48 deaths and 182 cases, according to NAFDAC. The agency tested 15 samples of suspected concoctions and found high concentrations of methanol, a highly toxic compound capable of causing blindness and death. This incident marks the second time in 11 years that the same areas have been affected by methanol poisoning from illicit alcohol.
The 2015 methanol-poisoning outbreak in Irele and Odigbo resulted in 27 deaths and 37 identified cases, with locally brewed gin implicated. NAFDAC had warned of the dangers of illicitly produced alcohol, but the recent incident has raised concerns about the effectiveness of regulatory measures. Professor Mojisola Adeyeye has been the Director-General of NAFDAC for almost nine years, and her leadership has been questioned amid public concern over fake, adulterated, and substandard products.
In a recent media engagement, Professor Adeyeye was asked about calls for her resignation, to which she responded with laughter before addressing the issue. This reaction was deemed inappropriate, and Nigerians took to social media to express their concerns about the safety of products they consume. The scale of the reaction exposed a serious crisis of public confidence in NAFDAC's ability to regulate the market.
The problem of fake and substandard products extends beyond social media complaints, with NAFDAC estimating that 13 to 15 percent of medicines in circulation are counterfeit. The agency has also reported that cosmetics, food, and beverages account for more than half of the counterfeit products it has confiscated. Industry estimates suggest that approximately 40 percent of spirits and wines in Nigeria are illicit or unrecorded.
Nigeria's economic reality has contributed to the problem, as consumers under severe financial pressure are attracted to cheaper products. Illicit producers can evade taxes, registration, testing, and quality control costs, allowing them to compete aggressively on price. Ordinary Nigerians have described their purchasing decisions as being driven by price, with many comparing prices and visiting different markets to find affordable alternatives.
The intersection of economic hardship and weak regulation has created a dangerous equation, where consumers are exposed to fake and dangerous products. Regulation cannot protect only consumers who can afford to buy at the safer end of the market; all Nigerians have the right to expect that the products they buy will not harm them. NAFDAC has reported removing 7,210 fake, substandard, and non-compliant products and seizing or destroying products worth over N1.5tn since 2023.
The methanol poisoning crisis in Ondo State has raised fundamental questions about NAFDAC's effectiveness in regulating the market and protecting consumers. As Nigeria grapples with the issue, the agency faces scrutiny over its leadership and regulatory measures. The incident has also highlighted the need for stronger regulation and enforcement to prevent the proliferation of fake and substandard products in the market.
Key points
- 48 deaths and 182 cases of methanol poisoning have been reported in Ondo State.
- NAFDAC's leadership and regulatory measures have been questioned amid public concern over fake, adulterated, and substandard products.
- The incident has highlighted the need for stronger regulation and enforcement to prevent the proliferation of fake and substandard products in the market.
