Abuja, Nigeria — A civil society organization (CSO), Stand Up Nigeria, has issued a grave warning that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control's (NAFDAC) planned ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small bottles could result in the wipeout of ₦1.9 trillion in industry investments and the mass retrenchment of over 500,000 direct employees.

The warning comes amidst a firm directive from the Nigerian Senate, which has instructed NAFDAC to enforce the total prohibition of sachet and mini-bottle alcoholic drinks (below 200ml) by the December 31, 2025, deadline, with a stern caution against any further extension.

📉 Economic Dislocation Feared

The CSO, at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, condemned the planned ban as "undemocratic, economically disastrous, and inconsistent with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope agenda."

According to the group's convener, the enforcement—which NAFDAC says is to curb substance abuse, underage drinking, and related social vices—will trigger an economic dislocation of unimaginable proportions. The group highlighted the potential losses:

• Investment Loss: Over ₦1.9 trillion primarily from indigenous manufacturing companies.

• Direct Job Losses: Over 500,000 direct employees.

• Indirect Job Losses: An estimated 5 million indirect jobs across marketing, logistics, and supply chains.

• Other Consequences: Loss of indigenous businesses, reduced capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector, and loss of substantial tax revenues for both Federal and State Governments.

The group further argued that the ban contradicts the administration's economic diversification goals and ignores earlier consensus reached under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Health and the House of Representatives, which favored stricter regulation, access control, and national enlightenment campaigns over an outright ban.

🏛️ Senate Stands Firm on Public Health Mandate

The Senate's directive, which followed a motion by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South) last week, reaffirms the decision to protect public health and the nation's youth from the harmful effects of easily accessible, cheap, high-alcohol-content beverages.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the resolution as a timely step to safeguard youth welfare, urging NAFDAC to ensure full enforcement of the ban by the December 2025 deadline.

NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, has repeatedly defended the ban, which she said is rooted in scientific evidence and a 2018 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with industry stakeholders to phase out the packaging format. Professor Adeyeye maintained that the decision is protective, not punitive, and is aimed at safeguarding the health and future of Nigerian children and youth. The agency has insisted that no further extensions will be granted beyond the end of the year.