The Spirits & Wines Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, industry operators and other stakeholders to tackle illicit alcohol trade, protect consumers and safeguard legitimate businesses.

The association said recent seizures of counterfeit alcoholic products and arrests linked to illicit trade networks highlighted the importance of coordinated enforcement and intelligence sharing among regulatory agencies, industry players and other partners.

In a statement, SWAN’s Director General, Tony Okwoju, said sustained collaboration was yielding results in identifying and disrupting illicit trade activities across the country.

He, however, warned that illicit trade remained a significant challenge, with implications for public health, government revenue, legitimate businesses and employment.

According to the association, its member companies continue to invest in brand protection, market surveillance and intelligence gathering to support efforts by regulatory and enforcement agencies to combat counterfeit products.

SWAN also highlighted sustainable initiatives, including glass recovery projects, which it said helped promote environmental responsibility while reducing the circulation of empty bottles that could be used for illicit refilling and counterfeiting.

The association urged the media to exercise caution when reporting enforcement activities, particularly by distinguishing counterfeit products from genuine brands to avoid misleading consumers and undermining confidence in legitimate products.

It also advised consumers to buy alcoholic beverages from trusted and authorised retailers, ensure that product packaging and seals remained intact, and report suspected counterfeit products to the relevant authorities.

SWAN said effective cooperation among government agencies, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, the media and consumers was essential to protecting public health, preserving government revenue and sustaining confidence in established brands.

As part of its efforts to address the challenge, the association said it had organised a workshop on illicit trade in the alcohol industry earlier in the year, bringing together representatives of government, the media and industry to discuss the problem and identify practical solutions.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to stakeholder engagement, intelligence sharing and consumer education, stressing that a coordinated approach was necessary to achieve lasting progress against illicit trade.