Manny Ita –
Distillers and workers in the alcoholic beverage sector are scheduled to stage a protest at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) office in Oshodi, Lagos, today beginning at 8:30 a.m., in opposition to the nationwide crackdown on sachet alcohol and small polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles.
The planned demonstration follows enforcement actions by NAFDAC restricting the production, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small PET bottles, a move the agency says is aimed at curbing alcohol abuse, particularly among youths.
Industry representatives said the protest would bring together distillers, factory workers, distributors and retailers who argue that the policy threatens thousands of jobs and investments across the value chain.
A spokesperson for a coalition of small-scale distillers said the crackdown was having “devastating consequences” for operators who rely on sachet and small-bottle packaging to serve low-income consumers. “We support responsible drinking and regulatory oversight, but an outright clampdown without adequate transition time is hurting businesses and workers,” he said. “Many of our members have warehouses filled with unsold products.”
NAFDAC has maintained that the enforcement action is in line with existing regulations and public health objectives. The agency has repeatedly expressed concern about the accessibility of cheap, high-alcohol content beverages sold in small, affordable quantities.
A senior official of the agency, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the protest, said, “The objective is to protect public health. Sachet alcohol and small PET bottles make high-strength alcohol easily accessible to minors and vulnerable populations.”
Workers in the sector said they fear job losses if the restrictions remain in place. “Thousands of families depend on this industry,” said a production supervisor at a Lagos-based distillery. “We are not against regulation, but there must be dialogue and a clear roadmap that does not wipe out livelihoods overnight.”
Security presence was expected around the Oshodi office ahead of the protest, as organisers said they intended to conduct a peaceful demonstration and submit a formal petition to the agency’s management.
Public health advocates, however, have backed the crackdown, arguing that reducing the availability of cheap alcohol in small packages could help lower rates of abuse and related health complications. “The long-term benefits to society outweigh the short-term disruptions,” said a public health campaigner. “Alcohol-related harm is a serious issue.”
As of press time, NAFDAC had not announced any suspension of the enforcement measures. The outcome of the protest and any potential engagement between regulators and industry stakeholders are expected to shape the next phase of the policy’s implementation.
