Segun Ajayi-Kadir’s ARISE TV Interview on NAFDAC Sachet Alcohol Ban

Symbolic Photo of Segun Ajayi-Kadir, DG, MAN

Segun Ajayi-Kadir’s ARISE TV Interview on NAFDAC Sachet Alcohol Ban

Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), used his live interview on ARISE TV today to deliver a strong condemnation of NAFDAC’s enforcement of the sachet alcohol ban, describing it as unilateral, counterproductive, and economically damaging. He warned that the policy will cost jobs, reduce government revenue, and worsen public health by fueling illicit alcohol trade.

During the interview, Ajayi-Kadir emphasized that MAN never consented to the December 2025 deadline set by NAFDAC for the ban’s enforcement. He clarified that discussions with the regulatory agency had always been a “monologue” rather than a genuine dialogue, with NAFDAC fixing dates and executing decisions without consensus.

He accused the agency of ignoring directives from the Federal Government and resolutions from the House of Representatives, both of which had earlier suspended the ban. According to him, NAFDAC’s unilateral approach undermines institutional processes and disregards the findings of joint studies that did not support an outright prohibition.

Ajayi-Kadir acknowledged concerns about underage drinking but argued that banning sachet alcohol is a blunt and misguided policy tool. He explained that sachet packaging is a legitimate business model widely used across consumer goods sectors to serve low-income consumers. He stressed that the real issue is misuse, not the packaging format itself, and that prohibition will not solve the problem. Instead, he advocated for stricter regulation, targeted enforcement, and consumer education as more effective measures to curb abuse.

He warned that the ban will have severe economic consequences. Thousands of jobs in the wines and spirits sub-sector are at risk, and companies will face disruptions that could lead to closures. Government revenue from excise duties and taxes will also decline.

More troubling, Ajayi-Kadir predicted that consumers deprived of affordable sachet alcohol will turn to illicit and unsafe alternatives, thereby worsening public health outcomes rather than improving them. He described this as a classic case of unintended consequences, where a policy designed to protect society ends up harming it.

Ajayi-Kadir also challenged NAFDAC to provide empirical data to justify its claims about the dangers of sachet alcohol. He insisted that regulatory decisions must be evidence-based and transparent, not driven by unilateral fiat. He accused the agency of pursuing a “sinister agenda” by ignoring institutional resolutions and stakeholder concerns.

Ajayi-Kadir’s submissions on ARISE TV painted the sachet alcohol ban as a policy that is procedurally flawed, economically damaging, and socially disruptive.

While acknowledging the need to address underage drinking, he maintained that outright prohibition is not the solution. He called for a balanced approach that combines regulation, education, and enforcement, warning that failure to reconsider the ban will hurt businesses, destroy jobs, and expose Nigerians to greater health risks through illicit trade.