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The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Federal Government to intervene and restrain the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over its renewed enforcement of a ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small PET bottles.
MAN said NAFDAC’s recent actions have disrupted the operations of manufacturers in the wines and spirits sector, warning that the development threatens jobs, livelihoods and government revenue, while creating uncertainty for operators.
In a statement signed by its Director General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, MAN noted that NAFDAC’s enforcement drive contradicts a directive issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on December 15, 2025, which directed that the ban be suspended.
The association also pointed to an earlier resolution of the House of Representatives following a public hearing with stakeholders, which restrained NAFDAC from proceeding with the ban on sachet and PET-bottled alcohol.
According to MAN, the House resolution was the product of broad consultations, unlike a subsequent Senate resolution that did not involve extensive stakeholder engagement.
MAN expressed concern that the existence of conflicting directives from government institutions has left operators confused about which authority to comply with.
The association emphasized that sachet and PET-packaged alcoholic beverages were introduced as an innovation to serve adult consumers with limited purchasing power, arguing that the products provide choice and, in some cases, help reduce abuse associated with larger alcohol volumes.
MAN stressed that locally produced sachet alcohol is manufactured under hygienic conditions and duly certified by regulatory agencies, including NAFDAC. It warned that an outright ban would likely encourage the spread of illicit, unregulated and potentially dangerous alternatives beyond the control of authorities.
Addressing concerns about underage drinking, MAN said claims of widespread abuse by minors are not supported by credible empirical research. It added that manufacturers have invested over N1 billion in nationwide campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption and discouraging underage access.
While reaffirming its support for the removal of unsafe products from the market, MAN insisted that regulatory decisions should be guided by data and evidence rather than sentiment. The association cautioned that the ban could lead to job losses, increased smuggling, loss of government revenue and greater circulation of substandard products.
MAN appealed to the Federal Government to prevail on NAFDAC to halt enforcement actions and comply with the directive suspending the ban, while stakeholders continue engagement on sustainable regulation.
