The Canadian government has issued a fresh warning to its citizens travelling to Nigeria over the consumption of unregulated and adulterated alcoholic drinks following reports of deaths and serious illnesses linked to methanol contamination.
The warning was included in Canada’s updated travel advisory for Nigeria, which was revised on September 21, 2026. Canadian authorities cautioned travellers to be particularly careful about the source of alcoholic beverages they consume while in the country.
According to the advisory, casualties have occurred after people consumed unregulated and adulterated alcohol containing high levels of methanol, a toxic form of alcohol that can cause severe poisoning...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Canadian travellers have been advised to purchase alcoholic drinks only from reputable establishments and to seek medical attention if they begin to feel unwell after consuming alcohol.
The warning comes amid a serious poisoning outbreak reported in Ondo State, where Nigerian authorities have linked a number of illnesses and deaths to locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions suspected of containing dangerous levels of methanol.
As of September 17, authorities had reported 48 deaths and 182 cases of severe illness connected to the suspected contaminated drinks. Seven victims were reportedly left with vision loss, while several others required hospital treatment.
Laboratory testing of samples collected from the suspected beverages detected high concentrations of methanol. Further testing and investigations are being conducted to establish the exact composition of the drinks and identify all substances that may have contributed to the illnesses.
Authorities have also taken enforcement measures as investigations continue, with several people reportedly arrested over the production, sale and distribution of the suspected contaminated beverages.
Methanol is not the same as the type of alcohol intended for consumption in alcoholic beverages. Exposure to high levels can cause serious poisoning, including visual impairment, damage to vital organs and death.
The development has renewed concerns about the dangers associated with consuming alcoholic or herbal mixtures whose ingredients, production processes and safety levels cannot be verified.
Canadian authorities have therefore urged travellers to Nigeria to exercise caution and avoid alcohol from unregulated sources.
The latest warning comes alongside Canada’s broader travel advisory for Nigeria, which currently advises against non-essential travel to Nigeria, including Abuja, because of security concerns such as terrorism, crime, armed attacks and kidnapping. Lagos and Calabar are excluded from that particular non-essential travel warning, although travellers to both cities are advised to exercise a high degree of caution.
For Nigerians and visitors alike, health authorities continue to stress the importance of knowing the source of alcoholic products and avoiding drinks with unknown ingredients or unclear regulatory status, particularly amid the ongoing investigation into the suspected methanol poisoning outbreak.
