CSO Slams Sachet Alcohol Ban as Rushed and Economically Damaging
The civil society organization Concerned Citizens for Change has strongly criticized the reported implementation of a ban by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on the production, distribution, and consumption of alcoholic drinks in sachets and small PET or glass bottles below 200ml. The group has labeled this action as rushed, undemocratic, and harmful to the Nigerian economy.
Violation of Inclusive Processes
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the group expressed deep concern over reports attributed to NAFDAC indicating the commencement of enforcement of the ban, following resolutions of the Senate. According to the organization, this action directly contradicts the inclusive and consultative process earlier initiated by the Federal Ministry of Health, which culminated in the drafting and validation of a comprehensive National Alcohol Policy.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Oluoha Chukwudi stated that the purported enforcement announcement, credited to the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, failed to reflect prior stakeholder engagements involving industry operators, regulators, and lawmakers. He emphasized that the matter had previously been deliberated upon at a stakeholders' parley convened by the Ministry of Health, with participation from members of the House of Representatives, where far-reaching resolutions were reached.
"The alleged outright ban is at variance with the resolutions already agreed upon by stakeholders and supervised by the Ministry of Health, which constitutionally oversees NAFDAC," Chukwudi declared. "We are surprised that NAFDAC would bypass this inclusive framework and seek enforcement without broad consultation."
Questioning the Rationale and Economic Impact
The group also questioned claims that sachet alcohol consumption significantly drives underage abuse, noting that several independent studies had reportedly dismissed such assertions. It added that industry operators had invested heavily in responsible drinking campaigns, spending over N1 billion on nationwide media sensitization to curb underage consumption.
Concerned Citizens for Change warned that enforcing the ban could have severe economic consequences, including:
- The loss of over N1.9 trillion in investments
- Retrenchment of more than 500,000 direct employees
- Disruption of about five million indirect jobs across the value chain
The group added that such outcomes would undermine manufacturing growth and local entrepreneurship at a time when the economy is showing signs of gradual recovery.
Calls for Policy Implementation and Leadership Change
The group called on the Minister and Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare to endorse and implement the validated National Alcohol Policy and its multi-sectoral framework. It also urged the Senate to revisit the matter through a comprehensive stakeholders' consultation, similar to the process earlier undertaken by the House of Representatives.
Additionally, the organization appealed to the Senate to rescind any directive authorizing enforcement of the ban and to restrain NAFDAC from implementing it pending full implementation of the National Alcohol Policy framework.
The group further accused the NAFDAC leadership of acting unilaterally and called on the Director-General to step aside, alleging that her actions were inconsistent with the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Tinubu.
