Sachet Alcohol Ban Threatens 5 Million Jobs, Manufacturers Tell FG
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has warned that the Federal Government’s plan to ban the production and sale of alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and small PET bottles by 31st December 2025 will wipe out more than N1.9 trillion worth of investments by indigenous companies and trigger the loss of 500,000 direct and 5 million indirect jobs.
The alarm follows a recent directive by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to enforce the ban on sachet alcohol by the end of the year, acting on a resolution passed by the Senate on Thursday, 6th November 2025.
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In a statement on Sunday, the Director General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, urged the government to rescind the decision, noting that the matter had already been resolved by an enlarged committee of stakeholders and NAFDAC officials who validated the National Alcohol Policy in October 2025.
He said the claim that minors abuse alcohol because it is sold in sachets had been dismissed by various empirical studies independently conducted by government agencies.
His words, “This pronouncement, which we believe is counterproductive and forebodes economic dislocation of significant proportions for the nation at this period, will have serious consequences for the now stabilising economy for the following reasons.
“Loss of over N1.9 trillion investment, largely by the indigenous Nigerian companies. Consequential mass retrenchment of over 500,000 direct employees and approximately 5 million indirect through contracts, marketing and other logistics.
“Reduction in capacity utilisation in manufacturing, which in recent quarters began to gradually improve on account of the industry’s contribution as a component of the food and beverages sector. And loss of indigenous businesses that may gradually obliterate local entrepreneurship development in the economy.”
Ajayi-Kadir added that enforcing the ban would hand the market over to foreign brands, many of which are smuggled into the country.
He warned that such products may be unwholesome and would displace local manufacturers while depriving government of revenue.
He said, “We therefore make a strident appeal for an expedited endorsement and implementation of the validated Nigeria National Alcohol Policy and its multi-sectoral implementation framework. We believe that this will make the implementation of the unwarranted ban unnecessary.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
