The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has urged the Senate to halt its plan to ban alcoholic drinks sold in sachets and small PET bottles, warning that the move could jeopardise over N1.9 trillion in local investments.
In a statement, MAN Director-General Segun Ajayi-Kadir said the ban, set to take effect by December 31, 2025, contradicts previously agreed measures aimed at regulating alcohol consumption responsibly. He added that independent studies show underage use of sachet alcohol is not widespread, and manufacturers have consistently promoted responsible drinking campaigns.
Ajayi-Kadir warned that enforcing the ban could lead to mass job losses, with 500,000 direct employees and around five million indirect jobs at risk. He also cautioned that banning regulated sachet alcohol could boost the sale of illicit, unregulated products, posing health risks and undermining local businesses.
The Senate had asked the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to phase out sachet alcohol, citing its accessibility to children, adolescents, and vulnerable groups. MAN has called for the directive to be rescinded and for the Nigeria National Alcohol Policy to guide industry regulation instead.