MAN, Unions Condemn NAFDAC Sachet Alcohol Ban

MAN, Unions Condemn NAFDAC Sachet Alcohol Ban

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and labour unions have strongly condemned the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)’s enforcement of the sachet alcohol ban, warning that it threatens jobs, disrupts businesses, and could worsen public health outcomes.

The controversy surrounding the sachet alcohol ban has intensified since NAFDAC began enforcing its directive on January 22, 2026, prohibiting the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles below 200 millilitres.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), led by its Director-General Segun Ajayi-Kadir, has accused NAFDAC of ignoring directives from the Federal Government and the House of Representatives, both of which had earlier suspended the proposed ban.

Ajayi-Kadir described NAFDAC’s regulatory process as a “monologue,” stressing that no consensus was reached with industry stakeholders on the timeline for enforcement. He insisted that MAN never agreed to a December deadline and accused the agency of unilateral decision-making.

Labour unions, including the Food, Beverages and Tobacco Senior Staff Association and the National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees, have echoed MAN’s concerns.

They argue that the ban will lead to massive job losses in the wines and spirits sub-sector, disrupt the operations of companies, and reduce government revenue.

More critically, they warn that the policy could push consumers toward illicit and unsafe alcoholic products, thereby worsening public health outcomes rather than improving them.

In a press statement, MAN emphasized that the ban is inimical to the profitable operation of businesses in the sector and will hurt the Nigerian economy. The association called for restraint, urging NAFDAC to reconsider its stance and provide data to justify its claims about the dangers of sachet alcohol.

The unions also demanded transparency, accusing the agency of pursuing a “sinister agenda” and ignoring institutional resolutions that opposed the ban.

The controversy has sparked public debate, with some groups staging marches in support of NAFDAC’s action, citing concerns about the health risks of sachet alcohol consumption.

However, MAN and the unions maintain that the ban is poorly timed, lacks stakeholder engagement, and undermines the livelihoods of thousands of Nigerian workers.

They argue that instead of outright prohibition, the government should focus on stricter regulation, consumer education, and enforcement against illicit trade.

In conclusion, the sachet alcohol ban has become a flashpoint between regulators and industry stakeholders. While NAFDAC insists it is acting in the interest of public health, MAN and labour unions believe the policy is economically damaging, socially disruptive, and procedurally flawed.

The outcome of this dispute will likely shape the future of Nigeria’s alcoholic beverage industry and test the balance between regulation, economic sustainability, and public health protection.