Distillers, labour unions and industry stakeholders on Thursday staged a major protest at the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), rejecting the enforcement of the nationwide ban on sachet and small-volume alcoholic drinks. The demonstrators described the policy as economically dangerous and socially disruptive, warning that millions of livelihoods were at risk.
The protest was led by members of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), with strong backing from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards, the protesters accused regulators of implementing the ban without sufficient consultation or transition plans for affected workers and businesses.
Placards displayed during the march carried messages such as “Protect Nigerian Jobs,” “Stop Killing Local Industries,” and “Policies Must Balance Health and Livelihoods.” Union leaders said the ban, if sustained, could cripple small and medium-scale distilleries, distributors, and retailers across the country, particularly in low-income communities where sachet alcohol dominates the market.
At the centre of the controversy is NAFDAC’s renewed enforcement of a long-standing regulation prohibiting the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and in PET bottles below 200 millilitres. The agency insists the move is aimed at reducing alcohol abuse, underage drinking and related public health concerns linked to cheap and highly accessible alcohol.
NAFDAC has maintained that the policy is not new, explaining that manufacturers were given several years of notice following agreements reached as far back as 2018. According to the agency, repeated extensions and grace periods were granted before the current enforcement phase commenced nationwide.
However, labour unions and industry groups argue that the timing of the enforcement is ill-suited to Nigeria’s fragile economy. They warned that the ban could lead to factory closures, massive job losses and the collapse of supply chains that support millions of families directly and indirectly.
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The Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress said they were particularly concerned about workers in bottling plants, logistics, marketing and retail, many of whom could be rendered unemployed almost overnight. They called on the federal government to urgently intervene and suspend the enforcement pending broader stakeholder engagement.
Industry representatives also cautioned that banning sachet alcohol without viable alternatives could encourage the rise of unregulated and unsafe illicit alcohol, potentially worsening the very public health risks the policy seeks to address. They urged authorities to focus on regulation, education and responsible consumption rather than outright prohibition.
As the protesters gathered outside the NAFDAC office, security presence remained calm and the demonstration proceeded peacefully. No official confrontation was reported, and the protesters later dispersed after submitting their grievances through union leaders.
The protest has further intensified the national debate over how to balance public health priorities with economic survival and job protection. With pressure mounting from organised labour and manufacturers, attention is now on whether the federal government and NAFDAC will open fresh talks or review the enforcement strategy in the days ahead.
