The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has been urged by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to revoke the recent order prohibiting the manufacture and distribution of alcoholic drinks in sachets and tiny PET bottles by December 31, 2025. According to MAN, this instruction was ineffective and at odds with previous stakeholder agreements. It came after a resolution that was allegedly voted on by the Senate on Thursday, November 6.
The decision goes against the agreement reached by all parties involved, including NAFDAC itself, during the validation of the National Alcohol Policy in October 2025, according to a statement made by Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director-General of MAN.
He said that, in contrast to the House of Representatives' procedure, the Senate's resolution was prepared without enough consultation or public hearings with important sector stakeholders.
Ajayi-Kadir clarified that rather than a complete prohibition, the approved policy had suggested multi-sectoral action plans, stricter enforcement, the creation of licensed liquor stores, more regulatory agency oversight, and national awareness programs on responsible alcohol usage.
Additionally, he refuted allegations that sachet alcohol encourages teenage drinking, pointing out that government-commissioned independent research produced no scientific data to back up these assertions. He continued by saying that the sector has spent more than ₦1 billion on public awareness programs to deter underage alcohol misuse.
Enforcing the prohibition may cause significant economic upheaval, including the loss of over 500,000 direct employment, ₦1.9 trillion in investments, and around five million indirect jobs in supply chains, marketing, and logistics, the MAN CEO said.
Sachet packaging, according to Ajayi-Kadir, enables low-income adult customers to purchase regulated alcoholic drinks in smaller, safer amounts—a move that may actually curb excessive consumption.
He warned that the prohibition may encourage the growth of illegal, uncontrolled alcohol since demand would move to black markets, raising concerns about public health and safety.
He went on to say that the action may also allow international brands to enter Nigeria's market illegally, harming domestic producers and robbing the government of important tax income.
Therefore, MAN emphasized that effective regulation and public education—rather than prohibition—remain the best durable alternatives and encouraged the Senate to revoke its decision and permit the implementation of the certified National Alcohol Policy.
According to Ajayi-Kadir, "MAN supports measures that remove unsafe products from the market." But these choices must be based on facts, not feelings. Abrupt changes in regulations may endanger livelihoods, employment, and the stability of the national economy.
He reiterated MAN's dedication to upholding all safety regulations and encouraging responsible alcohol use nationwide.