The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has launched a strong appeal for the reversal of the ban on sachet alcoholic beverages imposed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Economic Disaster Looms
Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the Director-General of MAN, declared that the prohibition contradicts previously established agreements in the National Alcohol Policy and poses severe threats to Nigeria's economy. He emphasized that the ban would trigger massive job losses, reduce economic activities, and stimulate illegal trade across the country.
NAFDAC has mandated a complete ban on the production and sale of alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and small PET bottles effective December 31, 2025. This directive emerged following a resolution reportedly passed by the Senate during its session on November 6, 2025.
Contradiction in Government Position
Ajayi-Kadir expressed concern that this sudden development conflicts with ongoing stakeholder efforts and directly opposes the established position of the House of Representatives on the same matter. He noted that the Ministry of Health had previously authorized a one-year extension, which led to the review and validation of the draft National Alcohol Policy by all relevant stakeholders.
"We firmly believe that stakeholder consultation, whether through public hearings or focused meetings with industry representatives, should have been conducted by the relevant Senate Committee before implementing such a ban," Ajayi-Kadir stated. "This was the careful approach recently taken by the House of Representatives."
Substantial Economic Consequences
The MAN Director-General highlighted that matters concerning the ban had already been resolved by an expanded committee comprising all stakeholders and NAFDAC representatives, who validated the National Alcohol Policy in October 2025.
He challenged the government's basis for the ban, stating: "Multiple empirical studies have disproven the unsubstantiated claims of minor abuse that the government independently conducted." The industry has additionally launched extensive campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption, investing over one billion naira in media advertisements nationwide to discourage underage drinking.
Ajayi-Kadir warned of devastating economic impacts, including potential losses exceeding N1.9 trillion in investments by Nigerian companies. The ban could result in significant layoffs affecting over 500,000 direct employees and approximately five million indirect workers, while severely damaging manufacturing capacity utilization.
MAN has urgently requested expedited endorsement and implementation of the validated Nigeria National Alcohol Policy and its multi-sectoral implementation framework. The association appeals to the Senate to rescind the ban order and restrain NAFDAC from implementing the prohibition scheduled for December 31, 2025.
"We must remain conscious of the economic consequences of sudden regulatory changes that could profoundly impact legitimate manufacturers, thousands of employees, and informal value-chain operators throughout Nigeria," Ajayi-Kadir concluded.
