Labour unions in Nigeria have accused the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control of deliberately going after locally owned companies following the enforcement of a ban on alcohol packaged in sachets. The unions say the action could destroy indigenous producers of wines and spirits and worsen unemployment in the country.
The accusation was raised during a protest at the NAFDAC office in Abuja by members of unions in the food, beverage and tobacco sector. The Executive Secretary of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association, Solomon Adebosin, said the ban would lead to widespread job losses and force many local manufacturers to shut down operations.
He questioned why NAFDAC proceeded with enforcing the policy despite a directive from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which had earlier asked that the ban be suspended to allow for further review. According to him, the directive was meant to consider the economic impact of the policy on workers and businesses.
Adebosin recalled that organised labour had earlier warned that millions of jobs and trillions of naira in investments were at risk if the ban was implemented. He added that the decision could deepen economic hardship at a time when many Nigerians are already struggling.
He also argued that concerns about alcohol consumption could be addressed through proper regulation, access control and public awareness campaigns rather than a complete ban on sachet products.
Another union leader, Azeez Rasaki of the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees, also spoke at the protest. He said the enforcement of the ban goes against the Federal Government’s stated goal of creating jobs and supporting local industries under the current administration.
The unions called for the immediate suspension of the ban and urged the government to engage all stakeholders to develop a more balanced and sustainable approach to regulation.
The controversy over the sachet alcohol ban has continued since NAFDAC announced that it would take effect from December 2025. The decision has drawn criticism from various groups, who warn that it could harm the economy and livelihoods.
A civil society group, Stand Up Nigeria, had earlier condemned the ban at a press conference in Abuja, describing it as undemocratic and poorly handled. The group said the policy was introduced without proper consultation with key stakeholders and industry players.
Its convener, Sunday Attah, said the decision ignored earlier agreements reached during discussions with the Federal Ministry of Health and members of the House of Representatives. The group also raised concerns that the ban was based on alleged Senate resolutions, which it said weakened proper consultation and agreement in policymaking.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, has maintained that the agency acted on a Senate directive that instructed it to enforce the ban without further delay.