The Federal Government has ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to immediate cease all enforcement actions regarding the ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle products.

The directive, a joint intervention by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation OSGF and the Office of the National Security Adviser ONSA, cited grave concerns over economic stability and potential security threats.

Both offices warned that continued enforcement, in the absence of a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy, could “destabilize communities, worsen unemployment, and trigger avoidable security challenges.”

In a statement released by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, the government clarified that while the National Alcohol Policy has been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health under the direction of President Bola Tinubu, NAFDAC must refrain from sealing factories or warehouses until the policy is fully operationalised.

The SGF and NSA emphasized that the current “de facto banning” of these products without a harmonized framework is creating significant disruptions.

“The continued sealing of warehouses and de facto banning of sachet alcohol products… is already creating economic disruptions and poses a growing security threat, particularly given the impact on employment, supply chains, and informal distribution networks across the country,” the statement warned.

The OSGF further revealed that its decision was influenced by correspondence from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, dated November 13, 2025.

The letter, signed by Deputy Chairman Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, highlighted existing National Assembly resolutions that cautioned against the proposed ban.

Reaffirming a previous suspension issued in December 2025, the OSGF stated its role in reviewing legislative, public health, and economic factors before a final decision is reached.

Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the ongoing ban on sachet alcohol are to be suspended pending the final consultations and implementation of the National Alcohol Policy and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement emphasised.

The Federal Government also took the step of declaring any unauthorized actions by NAFDAC as “invalid,” urging the public and industry stakeholders to disregard any enforcement measures not cleared by the OSGF.

The statement assured Nigerians that a “final, balanced, and lawful decision” would be communicated in due course, prioritizing public health alongside national security and economic stability.

A potential aviation disaster was narrowly avoided today when an Arik Air Boeing 737-700 aircraft, en route from Lagos to Port Harcourt, experienced a serious engine problem mid-flight and made an emergency diversion to Benin Airport.

The aircraft, registration number 5N-MJF and operating as Flight W3 740, was descending toward Port Harcourt International Airport when the crew heard a loud bang from the left engine.

The incident occurred during the cruise or descent phase, prompting the pilots to declare an emergency and divert the plane as a precautionary measure.

According to statements from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and Arik Air, the flight crew detected abnormal indications on one of the engines.

The plane landed safely at Benin Airport without further incident, and all passengers and crew approximately 80 people onboard disembarked normally with no injuries reported.

The NSIB has launched an investigation into the engine anomaly, with preliminary observations indicating significant damage to the affected engine based on initial visual assessments at Benin Airport.

Arik Air confirmed the safe handling of the situation, emphasizing that the diversion was carried out following standard safety protocols. Arrangements were made for the affected passengers to continue their journey.

The incident underscores the critical importance of crew training and aircraft maintenance in Nigeria’s aviation sector, where quick decision-making by pilots has once again prevented a potential tragedy.

Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the probe continues.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on Tuesday made public presentation of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Predictions across the country.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, during the presentation in Abuja, analyses that a longer-than-normal rainy season in Lagos, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Ogun, Oyo, Nasarawa, Anambra, Kwara, Kebbi, Kaduna, Gombe, and Taraba States this year.

Keyamo said that however, an early onset is expected in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Oyo, and parts of Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Adamawa, and Taraba States.

Said the NiMet:

“While a late onset is expected over Borno State. Rainfall cessation is anticipated to be earlier than normal in parts of Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Imo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, and Niger States.

“However, a delayed end of season is expected in Lagos, Ogun, Anambra, Enugu, Cross River, Benue, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States.

“Whereas parts of Borno, Yobe, and Niger States are expected to have a shorter-than-normal rainy season.

A normal annual rainfall amount is anticipated in most parts of Nigeria compared to the long-term average,” the agency said.