Sachet Alcohol Ban Fit Kill Pass 5 Million Jobs – MAN

Di Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) don yarn say di National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) directive wey ban di production and sale of sachet and small PET bottle alcoholic drinks by December 31, 2025, fit cost di Nigerian economy over N1.9tn investment and about 5.5 million jobs. Di DG of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, talk say di NAFDAC-sponsored ban go hurt indigenous manufacturers and shake di economy at time wey manufacturing sector dey recover. E yarn say di ban fit lead to mass retrenchment of over 500,000 direct workers and about five million indirect workers wey dey through contracts, marketing, and logistics. Ajayi-Kadir describe di ban as “unfair” and say e dey against wetin stakeholders don agree during di validation of di draft National Alcohol Policy in October 2025.

E add say di Senate follow NAFDAC position without proper consultation, even though NAFDAC dey part of di multi-sectoral validation process. Ajayi-Kadir remind say di enlarged committee don agree on “progressive alternatives” like stricter enforcement, licensing of liquor outlets, enhanced product monitoring, and nationwide awareness to discourage underage drinking. E yarn say di outright ban fit backfire and create black market for unregulated, dangerous alcohol, while also dey punish adults wey get low purchasing power and support local producers. Di MAN DG beg di Senate make dem rescind di order and for NAFDAC make dem halt di ban, urging dem to adopt di validated National Alcohol Policy. On di other hand, NAFDAC DG, Mojisola Adeyeye, yarn say cheap alcohol dey widely misused by youths and drivers, dey cause domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other social wahala across communities.