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The Canadian Government has warned its citizens travelling to Nigeria against consuming unregulated and adulterated alcohol.
The warning was contained in an updated travel advisory published under the “Safety and security” section of the official Travel Advice and Advisories for Nigeria webpage.
The advisory follows reports of casualties linked to the consumption of alcoholic drinks containing high levels of methanol in Ondo State.
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The Canadian Government advised its citizens to “buy alcohol from reputable establishments” and seek medical attention if they begin to feel unwell after consuming alcohol.
It noted that “casualties have occurred due to the consumption of unregulated and adulterated alcohol containing high levels of methanol.”
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confirmed high concentrations of methanol in locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions linked to the deaths of 48 people in Ondo State.
According to NAFDAC, seven victims had developed visual impairment, while 182 cases of illness had been recorded as of September 17, 2026.
The agency said it subjected 15 unlabelled samples of the suspected concoctions to toxicological, chemical and microbiological examinations.
NAFDAC said 11 of the 15 samples tested positive for Cannabis indica, while gas chromatography detected high levels of methanol, a toxic substance capable of causing blindness, organ failure and death.
The agency also said acute oral toxicity tests conducted on six samples resulted in the deaths of approximately half of the laboratory mice used.
NAFDAC said further confirmatory tests were ongoing to determine the precise methanol concentrations and identify any other toxic substances in the drinks.
The agency added that 15 people had been arrested over the alleged production, sale and distribution of the affected beverages.
NAFDAC urged Nigerians to avoid unlicensed and unregistered alcoholic drinks and locally prepared herbal mixtures whose ingredients and composition are unknown.
It also advised anyone who experiences sudden visual disturbances, severe headaches, difficulty breathing or altered consciousness after consuming such substances to seek immediate medical attention.
