Canadian Government Warns Citizens Against Buying Alcohol in Nigeria

• The Canadian government has warned its citizens travelling to Nigeria to be cautious about where they buy alcohol following reports that dozens of people died after consuming locally produced alcohol suspected to contain dangerous levels of methanol.

The Canadian government has issued a fresh warning to citizens travelling to Nigeria following reports of deaths linked to the consumption of unregulated and adulterated alcohol containing high levels of methanol.

The warning was issued on Tuesday through a safety and security update shared by the Canadian government on X.

The advisory urged Canadians in Nigeria to exercise caution when purchasing alcoholic drinks, particularly those sold outside reputable establishments.

“Buy alcohol from reputable establishments and seek medical assistance if you begin to feel sick,” the Canadian government said.

The warning followed reports from southern Nigeria that dozens of people had died after consuming a locally brewed alcoholic drink suspected to have been contaminated with methanol.

At Least 48 Deaths Reported

On September 17, local officials reported that at least 48 people had died, while about 100 others were receiving treatment after consuming the suspected methanol-contaminated drink.

The cases were reported in the Odigbo and Irele Local Government Areas of Ondo State, with a total of 182 people believed to have been affected.

Some of those affected were hospitalised as health authorities responded to the reported outbreak.

Residents who spoke to The Associated Press suspected that a popular herbal alcoholic drink known as “Monkey Tail” may have been mixed with methanol.

A trader who sells the drink in Odigbo told the AP, on condition of anonymity, that there were two versions of the product — an original version considered safe and another version that was unsafe.

Local media reports indicated that the first death connected to the incident was recorded nearly three weeks before the Canadian government issued its warning.

Canada Warns Travellers to Be Careful

The Canadian government’s warning comes amid concerns over the dangers posed by unregulated alcoholic drinks.

Methanol is a toxic form of alcohol that can cause serious illness or death when consumed.

The Canadian advisory specifically urged travellers to purchase alcohol from reputable establishments and to seek immediate medical attention if they begin to feel unwell.

The warning is directed at Canadians travelling in Nigeria, but the reported deaths have also renewed attention on the risks associated with consuming poorly regulated locally produced alcoholic drinks.

Nigeria Enforces Alcohol Ban

The incident comes as Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control continues to enforce a nationwide ban on alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and small plastic containers.

The agency has said such packaging makes alcoholic products easily accessible to children and young people.

Locally produced alcoholic drinks are widely consumed in Nigeria, particularly in rural communities where they can be more affordable and may be subject to less formal regulation.

Authorities have continued to warn about the health risks associated with improperly produced or adulterated alcoholic beverages.

The reported deaths have now prompted an international travel advisory from Canada, urging its citizens in Nigeria to take extra care when purchasing and consuming alcohol.