Health

Unions, Industry Stakeholders Push Back as NAFDAC’s Sachet Alcohol Ban Sparks National Uproar

Helen Okoro 1 hour ago 3 min read

By : Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro

Stakeholders across Nigeria’s alcohol value chain are mounting stiff opposition to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)’s ban on sachet and small-sized PET bottled alcoholic beverages, warning that the policy could trigger massive job losses and destabilise already fragile livelihoods.

The ban, which targets the production, distribution and sale of alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and small PET bottles, was introduced by NAFDAC as part of efforts to curb alcohol abuse, especially among young people and vulnerable groups.

While public health advocates have applauded the move, labour unions, manufacturers and distributors insist the policy’s economic consequences could be devastating.

Leading the pushback are workers’ unions and industry associations who argue that the sachet and PET alcohol segment employs hundreds of thousands of Nigerians directly and indirectly. From factory workers and marketers to transporters, retailers and small-scale vendors, the sector forms a critical source of income in both urban centres and rural communities.

“The intention may be noble, but the execution is deeply flawed,” a labour union leader said at a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos. “You cannot fight alcohol abuse by throwing people into unemployment. This ban threatens the survival of families who depend on this industry to eat.”

Manufacturers say sachet and small PET packaging caters largely to low-income consumers and informal markets, making it a dominant segment of the alcohol industry. According to industry estimates, investments worth billions of naira have been sunk into production lines, distribution networks and marketing infrastructure tailored specifically to these products. An outright ban, they argue, puts those investments at risk and could force companies to downsize or shut down operations entirely.

Distributors and wholesalers have echoed similar concerns, noting that the ban disrupts supply chains nationwide. Many fear that sudden loss of income could fuel social problems, including increased crime and unrest, particularly among youths who rely on alcohol distribution and retail as a means of survival.

“There are alternative ways to regulate consumption without destroying jobs,” said a representative of an industry association. “Stricter enforcement of age restrictions, clearer labelling, public education and controlled sales can achieve the same goals without crippling the sector.”

Another point of contention is the timing of the policy. With Nigeria grappling with high inflation, rising unemployment and a harsh economic climate, unions argue that introducing a sweeping ban now amounts to adding pressure to an already strained labour market.

Critics also warn of unintended consequences, including the growth of an unregulated black market. They fear that banning legal, regulated products could open the door to unsafe, illicit alcohol, which poses even greater health risks than the products NAFDAC seeks to eliminate.

NAFDAC, however, has defended its position, insisting that the ban is rooted in public interest. The agency maintains that sachet alcohol, due to its affordability and portability, encourages excessive consumption and underage drinking. Officials argue that long-term public health benefits outweigh short-term economic discomfort and have called on manufacturers to innovate and transition to safer, more responsible packaging formats.

Despite these assurances, unions and stakeholders are calling for urgent dialogue and a suspension of the ban’s enforcement. They are urging the federal government to intervene, proposing a phased approach that balances public health objectives with job protection and economic realities.

As tensions rise, the debate highlights a familiar Nigerian dilemma: how to reconcile regulation with livelihoods in a country where millions depend on informal and semi-formal industries to survive. For now, workers, manufacturers and regulators remain locked in a standoff, with the fate of countless jobs hanging in the balance.