Nigerians Storm Out in Protest of Sachet Alcohol Ban by NAFDAC

Abuja — Fresh controversy has erupted over the reported move by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to commence enforcement of a ban on sachet alcoholic beverages.

Critics had warned that the policy could deepen unemployment and economic hardship, even as supporters argue it is necessary to protect public health.

On Tuesday, members of the Coalition of Unemployed People in Nigeria staged a protest at NAFDAC’s headquarters in Abuja. The group warned that banning sachet alcohol at a time of high inflation, rising unemployment and weak purchasing power could have far-reaching social and economic consequences.

The policy contradicts President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, economic inclusion and stability, a spokesperson, Princess Mimi Peter Esq., said.

According to the protesters, sachet alcohol production and distribution supports thousands of direct and indirect jobs across distilleries, agriculture, logistics, retail and informal trading. They argued that an outright ban could trigger factory closures, job losses and reduced incomes for small-scale vendors, potentially worsening crime and social instability.

Beyond the economic argument, the coalition accused NAFDAC of regulatory inconsistency. They noted that sachet alcohol products currently on the market were tested, registered and approved by the agency itself.

“If these products are now considered dangerous, it raises serious questions about NAFDAC’s own regulatory competence and integrity,” the group said.

They also rejected claims that sachet alcohol fuels underage drinking, insisting that the real problem lies in weak enforcement of age restrictions and poor retail monitoring, not the size or packaging of alcohol.

Supporters of the ban, maintain that sachet alcohol poses unique public health risks. They argue that its low cost and easy accessibility encourage excessive consumption, alcohol abuse and early exposure among young people, particularly in low-income communities. Public health advocates also contend that stronger action is needed to curb alcohol-related harm, including accidents, violence and long-term health complications.

NAFDAC has previously linked sachet alcohol to concerns over high alcohol content and misuse, framing the proposed ban as part of a broader effort to protect public health. From this perspective, the policy could reduce harmful drinking patterns and align Nigeria with global efforts to regulate alcohol more strictly.

The coalition has called for the immediate suspension of the sachet alcohol ban, reopening of sealed factories and the commencement of wide-ranging consultations involving regulators, manufacturers, unions, public health experts and consumer groups.

They insist they are not opposed to regulation, but to what they described as “emotional policymaking, scientific inconsistency and economic insensitivity.”