Members of Nigeria’s Distillers and Blenders Association have staged a protest at the Lagos State office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), calling for a reversal of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets.
The demonstration on Friday drew support from organised labour groups, including the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). Protesters gathered peacefully, holding placards and singing solidarity songs to press their demands.
The ban, introduced by NAFDAC as part of efforts to address public health concerns linked to the consumption of alcohol in small, inexpensive packaging, has faced resistance from manufacturers who say it threatens jobs and local investment.
Placards carried at the protest highlighted the industry’s economic arguments, with messages warning against the “destruction of local manufacturers” and stressing that investments worth trillions of naira were at risk. Others claimed that millions of livelihoods could be affected if the policy remains in place.
Industry representatives argue that while public health objectives are important, the ban could have unintended consequences, including job losses and reduced income for workers across the supply chain.
LAGOS EYE NEWS reports that the Labour unions supporting the protest echoed these concerns, urging regulators to consider alternative approaches such as stricter enforcement and better consumer education.
NAFDAC has previously said the measure is aimed at reducing alcohol abuse, particularly among young people and low-income groups, noting that sachet packaging makes strong alcoholic drinks more accessible.
As discussions continue, health experts say the challenge for authorities will be balancing public health priorities with the economic impact on workers and manufacturers in one of the country’s largest consumer goods sectors.
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