Civil society group Stand Up Nigeria has raised alarms over the planned ban on sachet and small-bottle alcoholic drinks, warning it could cost millions of Nigerians their jobs and cause trillions of naira in economic losses.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control had announced the move following a directive from the Senate to enforce the ban by December 2025.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday in Garki, Abuja, Stand Up Nigeria’s convener, Sunday Attah, called the directive “high-handed and illegal,” saying it contradicts President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on economic empowerment and protecting local businesses.
Attah said, “We read with rude shock that NAFDAC purportedly placed a ban on the production, distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small-volume PET/glass bottles (below 200ml) by December 2025.”
The group criticised NAFDAC for failing to consult key stakeholders and industry players, despite prior meetings with the Federal Ministry of Health and the House of Representatives. “An arm of government that is supposed to represent all Nigerians is directing NAFDAC to enforce the illegal ban without hearing from the other parties,” Attah added.
Stand Up Nigeria warned that enforcing the ban could lead to a massive economic disruption, including the loss of over ₦1.9 trillion in investments by local companies, the retrenchment of more than 500,000 direct employees, and up to five million indirect jobs tied to marketing, logistics, and other sectors. They also cited a reduction in manufacturing capacity and potential loss of indigenous businesses.
The group called on Ali Pate, Minister and Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, to endorse the draft Nigeria National Alcohol Policy and urged the Senate to reconsider the matter through stakeholder consultations, either via public hearings or focus meetings.
Attah added, “The Senate should act with dignity, fairness, and respect for all Nigerians in line with the Constitution and revisit this issue with proper consultation with industry players.”
