Tensions flared at the Lagos headquarters of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Monday as the Coalition for the Protection of Consumers’ Rights staged a high-profile protest. The demonstration comes in response to recent statements by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, regarding the imminent enforcement of a ban on sachet alcoholic beverages.
Led by Comrade Olufemi Lawson, the coalition is calling for an immediate suspension of the enforcement, citing devastating economic consequences and a lack of regulatory logic.
Addressing a crowd of protesters and members of the press, Lawson characterized the ban as “economically insensitive.” He warned that enforcing the prohibition in the current economic climate would lead to a massive wave of unemployment across the distillery value chain, affecting everyone from factory floor workers to transporters and small-scale retailers.
“This isn’t just about a product; it’s about livelihoods,” Lawson stated. “We are calling for regulation, not prohibition. This ban threatens to undermine the very efforts being made to stabilize our economy and provide jobs for Nigerians.”
The coalition highlighted several points of contention regarding NAFDAC’s current stance:
Existing Compliance: Protesters noted that these products were previously tested, registered, and approved by NAFDAC, questioning why they are suddenly being reclassified as unsafe.
The Underage Drinking Fallacy: The group argued that underage drinking is a retail enforcement issue, not a packaging one. They emphasized that products are clearly labeled “Not for sale to persons under 18.”
Environmental Double Standards: The coalition dismissed claims that sachets are primarily an environmental hazard, pointing out that water and detergents utilize identical packaging without facing similar bans.
Standardized Alcohol Content: Advocates refuted claims of “excessive” alcohol levels, noting that licensed distilleries adhere strictly to approved alcohol-by-volume (ABV) standards.
Demonstrators carried placards with slogans such as “Save Jobs, Save Livelihoods” and “Suspend the Sachet Alcohol Ban,” calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to intervene.
The coalition’s formal demands include:
The immediate suspension of enforcement actions.
The reopening of sealed production facilities.
A seat at the table for stakeholders to develop data-driven, inclusive regulatory solutions.
As of Monday afternoon, NAFDAC officials had not yet addressed the protesters, and no formal rebuttal has been issued by the agency. The Coalition warned that if these concerns remain unaddressed, protests may escalate nationwide.
