Organized Labour staged a demonstration at the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on February 6, vehemently protesting the recent ban and shutdown of production lines for companies manufacturing alcoholic beverages in sachets and small bottles below 200ml.

Led by prominent figures from the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria and the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), the Labor representatives strongly opposed the Federal Government’s decision to prohibit the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small bottles. They argued that the ban poses a severe threat to over 45,000 jobs and substantial investments worth billions of Naira.

The protesters, gathered at NAFDAC’s office located at Plot 1, Industrial Estate, Apapa-Oshodi expressway, Isolo, Lagos State, prominently displayed placards conveying their discontent. One of the placards succinctly expressed their plea: “NAFDAC, let us breathe.”

Olamide Somefun, Vice Chairman of the Food Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association in Ota, Ogun State, voiced concerns about the potential job losses, stating, “Most of our jobs are at stake. Many companies will fold up, especially those local industries that serve as raw materials to the producers .”

The  demonstration unfolded subsequent to NAFDAC’s announcement on February 1, 2024, regarding the enforcement of the ban. The agency had issued a five-year phase-out notice in 2019, intending to eliminate small-sized alcoholic beverages due to worries about their accessibility to underage drinkers.

Addressing the press in Abuja, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, explained the rationale behind the ban, emphasizing the pocket-friendly sizes of the drinks that make them easily accessible and affordable to children, leading to potential consequences in the future.

However, members of NUFBTE expressed their apprehensions about the economic fallout of the ban, highlighting that it goes beyond job losses and directly impacts the livelihoods of many families dependent on these industries.

The ban, originally agreed upon by a multi-agency committee in 2018, outlined a phased reduction in production leading to a complete phase-out in 2024. NAFDAC underscored its adherence to the agreed-upon timeline, confirming that no licenses for the banned products were renewed after January 2024.

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