- Warn of threat to over 5.5m direct, indirect jobs
- Urge Senate to withdraw directive
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to rescind its recent directive banning the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small PET bottles by December 31, 2025.
This directive, which followed a resolution reportedly passed by the Senate on Thursday, November 6, was described by MAN as counterproductive and inconsistent with earlier stakeholder agreements.
The Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said the decision runs contrary to the consensus reached among all stakeholders, including NAFDAC itself, during the validation of the National Alcohol Policy in October 2025.
He said the Senate’s resolution was made without proper consultation or public hearings with key industry players, unlike the process adopted by the House of Representatives.
Ajayi-Kadir explained that the validated policy recommended multi-sectoral action plans, tighter enforcement, the establishment of licensed liquor outlets, stronger monitoring by regulatory agencies, and national enlightenment campaigns on responsible alcohol consumption, not an outright ban.
He also debunked claims that sachet alcohol promotes underage drinking, noting that independent studies commissioned by the government found no empirical evidence to support such claims. He added that the industry had invested over N1billion in public awareness campaigns to discourage alcohol abuse among minors.
The MAN chief warned that enforcing the ban could lead to massive economic disruption, including the loss of N1.9 trillion in investments, over 500,000 direct jobs, and approximately five million indirect jobs in marketing, logistics, and supply chains.
Ajayi-Kadir further argued that sachet packaging allows low-income adult consumers to afford regulated alcoholic beverages in smaller, safer quantities, a measure that could actually reduce excessive consumption.
He cautioned that the ban could fuel the spread of illicit, unregulated alcohol, as demand would shift to underground markets, increasing health and safety risks.
He added that the measure might also open Nigeria’s market to smuggled foreign brands, hurting local manufacturers and depriving the government of valuable tax revenue.
MAN, therefore, urged the Senate to withdraw its directive and allow the implementation of the validated National Alcohol Policy, emphasising that effective regulation and public education — not prohibition — remain the most sustainable solutions.
“MAN supports measures that remove unsafe products from the market,” Ajayi-Kadir said. “However, such decisions must be driven by evidence, not emotion. Abrupt regulatory shifts can jeopardise jobs, livelihoods, and national economic stability.”
He reaffirmed MAN’s commitment to ensuring compliance with all safety standards and promoting responsible alcohol consumption across the country.
- Media Report