Employees and civil society groups threaten nationwide protest over the sachet alcohol ban, warning NAFDAC’s policy could affect over five million Nigerians

Employees of companies producing sachet alcohol, alongside civil society organisations (CSOs), have threatened a nationwide protest if the Federal Government fails to reverse the ban on sachet alcohol beverages and PET bottles below 200ml.

Also read: Nigerians Spend N1.54tn on Beer Amid Economic Stress

The warning was issued on Monday as workers stormed the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) along the Oshodi–Apapa Expressway, marking their second protest in three days.

Last Friday, workers under the aegis of the Food, Beverages, and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) and the National Union of Food, Beverages, and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) protested against the ban, which they said had disrupted operations across the sector and threatened livelihoods.

The unions had warned that no fewer than five million Nigerians could be affected directly and indirectly by the policy.

Following the initial protest, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, met with leaders of the unions but maintained that the ban would remain in force until there was a change in legislation.

At Monday’s protest, members of FOBTOB and NUFBTE were joined by the Coalition for the Protection of Consumers’ Rights. The protesters carried placards and chanted solidarity songs, insisting that the ban was unjust and economically damaging.

Speaking to journalists, the National President of FOBTOB, Oyibo Jimoh, said the unions had been engaging the House of Representatives to develop a comprehensive national alcohol policy that would address public health concerns without imposing an outright ban.

Jimoh accused NAFDAC of disregarding the Federal Government’s position by sealing factories while discussions were still ongoing.

He also dismissed claims by the NAFDAC Director-General regarding the alcohol content of sachet beverages, describing them as misleading and factually incorrect.

He further alleged that labour unions were excluded from Senate deliberations that led to the enforcement of the ban, vowing that workers would continue to resist the policy until their demands were addressed.

Also speaking, the Head of Department in charge of Brewery and Tobacco at NUFBTE, Azeez Rasaq, warned that the union was prepared to mobilise a nationwide protest involving central labour organisations.

“A time will come when we will have to approach the TUC and NLC. They cannot watch 5.5 million Nigerians lose their jobs and remain silent,” Rasaq said.

“If the government continues to ignore our calls, it could lead to a nationwide protest. It is very possible.”

Representing the civil society organisations, Declan Ihekaira argued that the ban unfairly targeted low-income earners and infringed on consumers’ rights. He said the CSOs would mobilise nationwide if the policy was not reversed.

A staff member of one of the affected companies, Biodun Adeyemi, said he was ready to participate in a nationwide protest to protect his livelihood.

“Losing my job will affect my children and extended family. You can imagine the multiplier effect of this decision,” Adeyemi said.

“If taking to the streets is the only language the government understands, then we are ready.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of FOBTOB in Lagos State, Olamiye Somefun, warned that workers might escalate their protest to Abuja if their grievances were ignored.

“Our next option is to march to the National Assembly and ask our lawmakers to intervene. President Bola Tinubu promised to improve the lives of Nigerians, and we do not know if the NAFDAC DG is working against that agenda,” Somefun said.

Also read: Nigeria Inflation Rate July 2025 Drops to 21.88%

As tensions continue to rise, stakeholders warn that failure to resolve the dispute could trigger widespread industrial action with significant economic and social consequences.