Sachet Alcohol Ban Sparks Protest at NAFDAC Office in Lagos

The Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) and their employees staged a protest at the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in the Isolo area of the state.

The protest comes in the wake of the NAFDAC enforcement of the ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets, and glass bottles of 200ml and below, which began on February 1, 2024.

The members of the association were seen with placards with inscriptions such as “Let poor Nigerians breathe” and “Let beverage workers breathe,” among others.

NAFDAC boss Mojisola Adeyeye had previously stated that no such beverages were registered with the NAFDAC.

On February 13, 2024, members of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress) gave NAFDAC a 14-day ultimatum to reverse its ban on sachet alcohol.

During a protest at the NAFDAC headquarters in Abuja, they threatened to increase protests across the agency’s offices nationwide if the ban was not lifted.

This ongoing issue highlights the concerns of the beverage industry and its employees, who are facing potential job losses and economic impacts due to the ban.

It remains to be seen how NAFDAC will respond to the protests and demands of the industry stakeholders, and whether a resolution can be reached that addresses the concerns of all parties involved.