Members of the Food, Beverages and Tobacco Senior Staff Association, the National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees, and a group identified as Concerned Citizens of Nigeria yesterday staged separate protests over the ban on alcoholic drinks in sachets and PET bottles below 200 ml by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

While the unions renewed their demand for a review of the ban as the protest entered its third day at NAFDAC’s office in Isolo, Lagos, the other group simultaneously mobilised in support of the agency’s decision, calling for the ban to be fully enforced in the public interest.

Union members carried placards with various inscriptions, which read: “Stop destroying local manufacturers,” “5.5 million Nigerians cannot be pushed to the streets,” “No empirical evidence of underage abuse of alcohol drinks in sachets and PET bottles below 200 ml,” and “DG of NAFDAC is working against Tinubu government.”

The counter-protesters also carried placards, which read: “Alcoholic sachet drink is killing Nigerians. It must be banned,” “NAFDAC don’t let them kill us with sachet alcohol,” “Stop ruining the future of Nigerians. Ban sachet alcohol,” and “NAFDAC do the needful, our lives are precious.”

Speaking with The Guardian, the National President of the Food, Beverages and Tobacco Senior Staff Association, Oyibo Jimoh, warned that the ban would hurt businesses, jobs and investments, noting that workers would not receive their January salaries as they are already out of jobs.

He faulted claims that sachet alcohol is responsible for underage drinking in Nigeria, insisting that no data exists to support such allegations.

According to him, sachet alcoholic drinks are easier to regulate because their manufacturers are known and traceable, unlike counterfeit bottled products.

“Sachet alcohol has not been known to be faked. You know the manufacturers. NAFDAC regularly inspects our facilities and laboratories to ensure compliance,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the group backing the NAFDAC decision, Babatunde Adeshina said the counter-protest was not against alcohol consumption in general, but specifically targeted sachet-packaged alcoholic drinks, which he described as harmful to Nigeria’s future.

According to him, the group decided to take to the streets after observing calls against the ban despite the growing negative impact of sachet alcohol on public health.

Adeshina acknowledged that there have been protests and campaigns in support of sachet alcohol by some interest groups, but said the group’s agitation was driven by national interest and concern for Nigeria’s future.

“We understand that protests supporting sachet drinks have been going on for a while, but we are coming out against it. We noticed that the government has not taken proactive steps against those who are making money while damaging the future of Nigeria – causing environmental pollution and different types of hazards. That is why we are here,” he said.

Adeshina clarified that the group was not acting on behalf of any registered civil society organisation, describing them as concerned citizens of Nigeria, while stressing that the protest reflected a collective position.
Caption: Protesters at NAFDAC office