A coalition of civil society organizations and labour unions has threatened to shut down offices of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) nationwide in protest of the ban on sachet alcoholic beverages. The groups argue that the policy threatens millions of jobs and exacerbates economic hardship for low-income earners.
The protest, which began at the Lagos NAFDAC office, includes members of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) and the National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees. They estimate the ban could displace over 5.5 million Nigerians employed across the production, distribution, and retail value chain.
Comrade Declan Ihekaire, representing the coalition, accused the government of using regulatory agencies to impose policies that disproportionately affect the poor. “The ban can only be justified when there are serious health challenges,” Ihekaire stated, advocating for regulation instead of an outright prohibition.
Branch Chairman of FOBTOB in Lagos, Comrade Somefun Olamiye, challenged NAFDAC’s justification for the ban. He disputed the agency’s claim that sachet alcohol contains excessively high alcohol content, stating, “No sachet alcoholic drink exceeds 43 per cent alcohol content.”
The protesters vowed to escalate their actions, including a planned march to the National Assembly, until the ban is lifted. They appealed to the Tinubu administration to reconsider the policy, which they say contradicts the promised “renewed hope” agenda.
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