Written by Tunde Oso
The Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association, or FOBTOB, has maintained that many of its members’ activities across the nation have been interrupted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control’s (NAFDAC) recent attempt to enforce its ban on sachet alcohol.
Protests against NADFAC’s ban have been held in Lagos and Abuja by organized labor and consumer rights groups, who claim that the measure might result in the unemployment of at least 5.5 million Nigerians.
In response to public concerns, NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye stated that the agency’s action exclusively targets alcohol packaged in sachets and containers less than 200ml, not manufacturers, and that no alcohol-producing company has been shut down while the ban is in effect.
But according to FOBTOB President Jimoh Oyibo’s response yesterday, “NAFDAC’s claim that it ‘did not close down any company that makes alcohol’ and that its actions were limited to banning alcohol in sachets and small containers below 200ml does not, fully reflect the commercial and operational realities within the industry today.”
While enforcing the restriction in places like Enugu and Abakaliki states, NAFDAC has reportedly sealed warehouses owned by well-known companies. In certain instances, these depots have been closed since January 20, 2026, even if they contain a variety of goods that are exempt from the prohibition.
Despite the claims made by impacted parties, NAFDAC has not reinstated access to these depots, which is adversely disrupting regular business operations. The closing of manufacturers’ depots will negatively impact our members’ means of subsistence as a labor union,” Oyibo stated.
“We must voice our serious concerns that NAFDAC’s approach is disproportionate, economically disruptive, and inconsistent with broader regulatory and public health realities in Nigeria, even though we acknowledge and fully support the shared objective of protecting children, adolescents, and vulnerable populations from the harmful use of alcohol.”
The detrimental effects of excessive alcohol intake are acknowledged by all sensible stakeholders. However, comprehensive, data-driven, and legally binding remedies are needed for public health issues rather than general bans that don’t deal with the underlying causes.
“Effective enforcement, parental responsibility, public education, and social regulation are more important in combating alcohol consumption among youngsters than container design. Alcohol container size does not guarantee safety on its own, and larger packs do not keep minors out.
“Behavioral regulation, age-restriction enforcement, education-driven interventions, and appropriate sanctions are more effective in addressing underage alcohol consumption than blanket product bans, according to global public health evidence.”
Oyibo said that the prohibition on small containers and sachets below Additionally, 200ml runs the risk of swaying the market in favor of bigger, more financially stable international companies that can switch to premium pack sizes and absorb retooling expenditures. Concerns regarding market concentration and unfair competition results are raised by the disproportionate harm done to smaller local manufacturers who depend primarily on sachet sales.
