Suspected alcohol poisoning in Nigeria's Ondo State kills at least 49 people

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Financial Intelligence • Markets • World News • Independent Analysis
Published: 2026-09-19 • Permanent link

Fears are growing among investors as the recent outbreak of suspected alcohol poisoning in Nigeria's Ondo State continues to claim lives. At least 49 people have died and 100 others injured after drinking 'Monkey Shoulder', a locally brewed herbal drink with high methanol content. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with local authorities scrambling to identify the source of the tainted liquor. The Nigerian Stock Exchange has seen a sharp decline in trading activity, with shares in beverage companies plummeting in response to the crisis.

As the full extent of the damage becomes clear, experts are warning of a potential economic fallout. The country's already-strained healthcare system is facing a significant influx of patients, while the tourism industry is also expected to take a hit. With the global economy still reeling from the effects of the pandemic, the last thing Nigeria needs is another crisis of this nature. Investors are growing increasingly nervous, with some analysts predicting a sharp decline in economic growth.

Historically, Nigeria has struggled with issues of adulterated food and drink products, with methanol contamination being a major concern. In 2019, a similar outbreak of methanol poisoning killed over 100 people in the country. The incident highlighted the need for improved regulation and enforcement of food safety standards, and it appears that those efforts have not been enough to prevent this latest crisis. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing Nigeria's food safety infrastructure.

The Nigerian government has promised to launch a full investigation into the incident, with officials vowing to take swift action against those responsible. In the meantime, the country's beverage industry is bracing for the fallout, with some companies already announcing plans to reformulate their products and improve their quality control procedures. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the consequences of this incident will be felt for a long time to come.