By John Umeh
On Friday, workers and industry stakeholders gathered at the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to protest the recent ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small PET bottles under 200ml. The protest was organised by the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The demonstrators, who arrived from early morning, carried banners and placards with slogans such as “Protect Local Manufacturers,” “Stop Job Losses,” and “Local Investments Matter.” They called on the federal government to intervene and review the ban, warning that it could have severe consequences for Nigeria’s economy and millions of workers reliant on the sector.
Speaking to journalists, Comrade Solomon Adebosin, Executive Secretary of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (TUC), said NAFDAC’s enforcement of the ban is premature. He noted that directives from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation had earlier instructed that any action regarding the ban be put on hold pending consultations and final guidance.
Adebosin stressed that the ban could affect over five million workers and jeopardise around ₦3 trillion in investments. He argued that the policy appears to disproportionately target local manufacturers, potentially driving them out of business and destabilising the domestic beverage industry.
He called for a more measured approach, suggesting that proper regulation, monitoring, and advocacy — as practised globally — would be more effective than an outright ban that could harm the economy and displace millions.
Comrade Azeez Rasaki, representing the National Union of Food, Beverages & Tobacco Employees, added that the ban undermines the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, industrial growth, and support for Nigerian businesses. He warned that such regulatory actions could impede economic recovery and negatively impact all workers along the production and distribution chain.
The protest underscores the tensions between regulatory objectives and economic considerations, with industry stakeholders urging NAFDAC to balance public health concerns with the protection of local businesses and employment.
