Members of the Coalition for Nigerian Change Movement on Monday protested against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over the commencement of enforcement of the ban on sachet and small PET bottle alcoholic beverages.

The protest, led by Comrade Kelvin Akerele, followed NAFDAC’s decision to enforce the ban, which the coalition described as “hasty, anti-people and detrimental to livelihoods” within the wines and spirits industry.

Addressing journalists during the demonstration, Akerele accused NAFDAC, under the leadership of its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, of disrupting legitimate businesses and undermining the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He argued that the enforcement of the ban violates an earlier directive issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on December 15, 2025, as well as resolutions of the House of Representatives.

“The decision to ban the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small PET bottles is in clear disobedience to the SGF’s directive and contradicts the resolutions reached by the House of Representatives after extensive consultations,” Akerele said.

He recalled that the House of Representatives, following a public hearing involving key stakeholders, had restrained NAFDAC from implementing the ban, describing it as anti-people. According to him, the agency instead relied on a subsequent Senate resolution which, he said, failed to fully reflect the views of all stakeholders.

The coalition noted that the conflicting positions of different arms of government have created uncertainty within the sector, raising concerns about regulatory consistency and policy stability.

Akerele maintained that sachet and PET bottle alcoholic beverages were introduced to cater to adult consumers with limited purchasing power, adding that the ban would deny such consumers their right to choice.

He also dismissed claims that sachet alcohol promotes abuse, arguing that smaller portions discourage excessive consumption. He stressed that locally produced sachet alcohol is manufactured under hygienic conditions and certified by relevant regulatory bodies, including NAFDAC.

According to him, allegations of underage alcohol abuse used to justify the ban are contradicted by independent empirical research.

He added that industry operators have invested more than ₦1 billion in nationwide campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption and discouraging underage drinking.

“The coalition supports practical measures to eliminate unsafe products from the market, but policy decisions must be based on empirical evidence, not emotional narratives,” he said.

The group warned that the ban could lead to the loss of thousands of jobs across the value chain, encourage the influx of illicit and substandard products, and reduce government revenue from legitimate manufacturers.

The protesters therefore called on the Federal Government to intervene and direct NAFDAC to immediately suspend enforcement of the ban, warning that continued implementation could result in factory closures and widespread job losses.

They also urged the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, to revisit the issue through broader stakeholder engagement in the interest of economic stability and social welfare (The Guardian)

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