Employees of distilling companies plan to protest at NAFDAC’s Lagos office over the nationwide ban on sachet alcohol and PET bottles under 200ml, warning of potential job losses

Employees of distilling companies are set to besiege the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday in protest against the Federal Government’s enforcement of a ban on sachet alcohol and PET bottles below 200ml.

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The protest, scheduled for 8:30 a.m., was outlined in a notice obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday. It marks the eighth demonstration by distillers in 2026, with organisers warning that the ban could cost no fewer than five million Nigerians their jobs.

The ban, which took effect on January 1, 2026, prohibits the production, distribution, and sale of alcohol in sachets and bottles smaller than 200ml, targeting underage drinking and harmful consumption patterns.

The Federal Government formally launched nationwide enforcement and public enlightenment efforts on Tuesday through a joint press conference in Abuja, organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), NAFDAC, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, highlighted alarming survey findings, noting that 54.3% of minors obtain alcohol independently, with nearly half procuring sachet or small bottle beverages due to ease of concealment.

She stressed the health risks associated with underage drinking, including damage to brain development, memory impairment, and higher likelihood of substance dependence.

“Alcohol can damage the hippocampus memory centre in the brain and prefrontal cortex, leading to permanent issues with learning, memory, and impulse control,” Adeyeye said.

She also linked alcohol abuse to social issues such as banditry and kidnapping, underscoring the broader societal implications of unrestricted access.

Lanre Issa-Onilu, NOA Director-General, described the campaign as a public health intervention, emphasising that consumer protection is national responsibility. He affirmed that NOA would utilise its 818 offices nationwide to ensure compliance and drive awareness.

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The distillers, represented by the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), argue that the ban threatens livelihoods and have vowed to voice their concerns directly at NAFDAC’s Lagos office in Oshodi.