The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed strong concern over the recent directive issued by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) calling for an outright ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small PET bottles by 31 December 2025, a resolution passed by the Senate on Thursday, 6 November 2025.
Speaking on behalf of the Association, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director General of MAN, described the development as unexpected, misaligned with agreed multi-stakeholder positions, and inconsistent with the subsisting actions of the House of Representatives.
Ajayi-Kadir emphasized that the decision contradicts the earlier one-year extension granted by the Ministry of Health, which allowed extensive stakeholder engagement culminating in the consideration and validation of the draft National Alcohol Policy.
He noted that a major policy pronouncement of this magnitude should have been preceded by established consultation processes, such as public hearings or focused industry engagements.
The House of Representatives, he pointed out, had upheld this inclusive approach when addressing the same matter, making the Senate’s abrupt directive particularly troubling.
According to him, the issues surrounding the regulation of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small PET bottles had already been addressed in October 2025 by an enlarged multi-stakeholder committee that included representatives of NAFDAC.
‘’This committee validated the National Alcohol Policy and collectively recommended multi-sectoral action plans, stronger enforcement by law-enforcement agencies, the establishment of licensed liquor outlets across Local Government Areas, enhanced compliance checks by NAFDAC, FCCPC and related agencies, and the prioritization of regulation, monitoring and public enlightenment campaigns.
It was further agreed that education initiatives should be intensified nationwide, particularly in secondary schools, to enlighten young people about the dangers of alcohol abuse and discourage underage consumption,’’ he said.
He further noted that claims of rampant underage consumption of sachet alcohol have been dismissed by multiple empirical studies independently commissioned by the government. Despite these findings, the industry has proactively invested over ₦1 billion in nationwide campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption, demonstrating its commitment to discouraging underage abuse and enhancing public awareness. These campaigns, which span multiple media platforms, have been impactful and widely acknowledged.
He added that, ‘’The Senate’s directive, if implemented, would be unfair, counterproductive and economically destabilizing at a time when the nation is just beginning to witness signs of economic recovery, the ban would threaten over ₦1.9 trillion in investments, predominantly by indigenous Nigerian companies, and result in the retrenchment of more than 500,000 direct employees and approximately five million additional workers in indirect roles such as contracting, marketing and logistics services.’’
‘’The ban would also reduce manufacturing capacity utilization in a sector that has only recently begun to recover, and could lead to the collapse of local enterprises, undermining Nigeria’s broader entrepreneurship development efforts.’’
Ajayi-Kadir explained that sachet packaging exists as an innovative, affordable and portion-controlled option designed to serve adult consumers with limited budgets, allowing them the right to exercise choice. Banning these regulated products, he argued, would not curb misuse but would instead push consumers toward illicit, unregulated and potentially dangerous substitutes.
‘’Removing legally regulated products from the market creates a vacuum that illicit producers will quickly exploit, flooding communities with unsafe substances that fall outside government oversight and pose serious risks to public health,’’ he said.
He also noted that such a ban would open the Nigerian market to a surge of smuggled foreign alcoholic brands, many of questionable quality, at the direct expense of domestic manufacturers and government revenue.
‘’In light of these considerations, MAN urged the Senate to rescind its directive and ensure that NAFDAC refrains from enforcing the ban scheduled for 31 December 2025, the Association called for the expedited endorsement and implementation of the validated National Alcohol Policy and its multi-sectoral frameworks, these evidence-based measures offer a more balanced and sustainable approach to alcohol regulation than an outright ban.’’ Ajayi‑Kadir said.
Ajayi-Kadir stated that the Association has always supported initiatives that remove unsafe products from the market, provided such actions are grounded in empirical evidence rather than emotional appeals or perceptions.
He stressed that poorly informed regulatory shifts compromise jobs, livelihoods and economic stability, while also creating severe unintended consequences, affirming that MAN remains committed to ensuring full compliance with regulatory standards, sustaining responsible-consumption campaigns, preventing underage access and working in close collaboration with manufacturers and regulatory bodies to uphold safety and consumer protection.
