Workers Threaten Nationwide Protest Over Sachet Alcohol Ban in Nigeria
Employees of companies producing sachet alcohol and PET bottles under 200ml have raised alarms over the ban on their products, warning of a possible nationwide protest if the restriction is not reversed. The move comes as unions and civil society groups express concern over job losses and consumer rights.
Protest at NAFDAC Office
On Monday, January 26, 2026, employees under the Food, Beverages, and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) and the National Union of Food, Beverages, and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) stormed the NAFDAC office in Lagos, three days after a previous protest.
The protesters carried placards, sang solidarity songs, and demanded that the ban be lifted. They argued that the closure of factories directly and indirectly affects over five million Nigerians.
Dialogue With Authorities
Following the Friday protest, the NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, met with union leaders but maintained that the ban would remain until legislation changes.
FOBTOB President, Oyibo Jimoh, said:
“While deliberations on a national alcohol policy are ongoing, NAFDAC went ahead to seal factories. This shows disregard for the Federal Government’s position. Some claims about the alcohol content of sachet beverages are untrue and misrepresent facts.”
Jimoh also noted that unions were excluded from Senate discussions that led to the factory closures, stressing that they would not relent until their concerns were addressed.
Threat of Nationwide Protest
The Head of Department for Brewery and Tobacco at NUFBTE, Azeez Rasaq, warned that if the government continues to ignore their calls, they could mobilise a nationwide protest through central labour unions like the TUC and NLC.
“A time will come when we must approach the central labour unions because they can’t see the possibility of 5.5 million Nigerians losing their jobs and remain silent. They will take it up.”-Azeez Razaq, The Head of Department for Brewery and Tobacco at NUFBTE.
Civil society organisations (CSOs) supporting the workers echoed similar concerns, claiming the ban deprives low-income Nigerians of affordable alcoholic drinks and infringes on consumer rights.
Personal Impact on Workers
Biodun Adeyemi, a staff member of a company affected by the ban, explained the personal consequences:
“Losing my job will also affect my children and extended family. If the only way the government understands is mass protests, we are ready to take to the streets to draw attention to our plight.”
Similarly, Olamiye Somefun, Chairman of FOBTOB in Lagos State, stated that the next step could be marching to Abuja to present their grievances directly to lawmakers.
Conclusion
The sachet alcohol ban by NAFDAC has sparked serious concern among workers, unions, and civil society groups. With potential job losses for millions and claims of infringement on consumer rights, the situation could escalate into nationwide protests unless dialogue with authorities yields a compromise.
