Fresh tension has erupted in Nigeria’s beverage industry as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and labour unions fault NAFDAC over its renewed ban on sachet alcoholic drinks. MAN warned that the move is already disrupting businesses, threatening thousands of jobs and hurting the wider economy.
In a statement, MAN Director-General Segun Ajayi-Kadir said the ban contradicts earlier federal directives and legislative resolutions, insisting it could fuel smuggling, encourage unregulated products and deprive government of revenue. He stressed that sachet alcohol is produced under certified, hygienic conditions and serves low-income adult consumers.
Labour unions also challenged NAFDAC to present empirical evidence linking sachet alcohol to underage drinking, arguing that no credible data supports the claim. Union leaders noted that manufacturers have invested heavily in responsible consumption campaigns and that sachet products are easier to regulate than adulterated bottled alternatives.
While some groups staged counter-protests backing the ban on health grounds, industry players insist dialogue, not enforcement, is the best path forward to protect jobs, businesses and public safety.
#SachetAlcoholBan #NAFDAC #MANigeria #LabourUnions #NigeriaEconomy #BusinessNews
