MAN urges restraint as NAFDAC’S renewed ban on sachet alcoholic beverages is against FGs directive
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has observed, in recent times, the activities of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regarding the disruption of the businesses of our members in the Wines and Spirits sector. This is inimical to the profitable operation of the companies concerned and will certainly hurt the Nigerian economy.
A statement signed by Segun Ajayi-Kadir, mni, Director General, specifically, noted the association discovered that NAFDAC has, in the last two weeks, gone ahead to implement the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small PET bottles in flagrant disobedience of the directives from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the matter, as issued on 15th December 2025.
The MAN DG statement read: “The recent action of NAFDAC is also in direct contradiction of the earlier resolution of the House of Representatives on the matter (vide NAS /10/HR/CT.33/77c of 14th March 2024); wherein the House of Representatives, after an all-inclusive consultation with stakeholders through a Public Hearing, restrained NAFDAC from taking the needless punitive action of banning the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles. Rather than abiding by the generally agreed resolution, NAFDAC bided its time and chose to rely on a resolution of the Senate that was devoid of the usual stakeholders’ engagement. We have since approached the Senate, and we trust that the Distinguished members will reconsider after further consultations. This is particularly concerning as operators are now confused as to which directive to follow in the face of multiple directives.
“It is important to reemphasize at this juncture that the advent of the sale of alcohol in sachets and PET bottles was not intended to have a negative impact on Nigerians. Rather, it was an innovation to serve the segment of the adult population with low budgets who desire the product and should have a right of choice. The ban would, therefore, deny them the opportunity to exercise that right. In addition, and on the positive side, availability in small portions could also discourage abuse associated with bigger portions.
“Equally important to note is that alcohol served in sachets by local producers is produced under hygienic conditions and certified by our regulatory agencies, which include NAFDAC.
“To ban such products would open the floodgates of illicit and unwholesome substances that are not subject to regulation, are dangerous to health, and are beyond the control of the relevant regulatory agencies.
“We would like to further place on record that the untested assertion of abuse by minors as the basis for the ban has been controverted by credible and empirical research that was independently conducted. The industry, on its own, has even gone further, notwithstanding the report of the survey, to initiate a series of campaigns in respect of responsible alcohol consumption to discourage underage abuse. This has so far cost the operators over a billion Naira in advertisements at all levels of media outreach across the federation. This has been very impactful in discouraging abuse by underage persons and has deepened the access restriction landscape.
“MAN has always supported measures that remove unsafe products from the market. We have only maintained that such decisions should be supported by empirical facts and not emotional persuasions or appeals to public sentiments. To succumb to these scenarios is a costly mistake, as it compromises jobs and livelihoods and activates other unintended consequences. MAN, therefore, recommits to working closely with our members engaged in the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles, as well as NAFDAC and other agencies of Government, to adhere to all regulations and abide by all standards.
“We caution that this unnecessary action of NAFDAC is detrimental to the survival of the concerned indigenous industrial operators. This is worrisome as it comes at the expense of the jobs and livelihoods of workers and all those involved in the value chain. It is counterproductive as it will open up the market for illicit, sub-standard, and unregulated products. It will lead to an influx of imported alternatives, mostly smuggled. It will deny the Government of revenues collectable from the companies. It will deny adult consumers with low budgets access to the products. The overall effect is that the economy and livelihoods will be negatively impacted.
“We, therefore, appeal to the Federal Government to prevail on NAFDAC to stop the disruption of our members’ activities and abide by the directive to suspend the implementation of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles.”