The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has backed the continued production of sachet and PET bottles of alcohol, cautioning about potential consequences, including the loss of over 500,000 jobs, as it opposes the planned ban on their production and sale, set to take effect by December 31.
The association pointed out that the ban proposed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and backed by the Nigerian Senate could result in the loss of over N1.9 trillion in investments, mostly from local Nigerian companies, as well as 5 million indirect jobs tied to contracts, marketing, and other logistics.
Although it may lead to a drop in manufacturing capacity utilisation, which had been slowly improving in recent quarters thanks to the industry’s role in the food and beverages sector, MAN warned that the decline of indigenous businesses could eventually wipe out local entrepreneurship in the economy.
The manufacturers’ association, which backs the ongoing production and sale of sachets and small PET bottles of alcoholic drinks, is against the Senate’s resolution from Thursday, November 6—a decision MAN’s Director General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, called sudden and harmful to the economy.
Ajayi-Kadir criticized the Senate’s decision, pointing out that it goes against ongoing collaborative efforts among stakeholders and differs from the stance taken by the House of Representatives on the issue.
He pointed out that the Ministry of Health had given a one-year extension to review the National Alcohol Policy, a process that wrapped up with stakeholder approval in October 2025. MAN believes the Senate should have held public hearings or consulted industry players before imposing the ban, similar to the more thorough approach taken by the House of Representatives.
Ajayi-Kadir remarked that the “Senate Committee should have held stakeholder consultations before implementing the ban”, noting that a broader committee, which included NAFDAC representatives, had already approved the National Alcohol Policy along with detailed recommendations.
The approved policy includes joint action plans across various sectors, tougher law enforcement, licensed liquor stores in Local Government Areas, greater oversight by NAFDAC and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, a focus on stopping underage drinking, and nationwide awareness drives in secondary schools.
Ajayi-Kadir dismissed claims of widespread underage abuse, pointing out that several independent government studies have debunked such allegations. He added that the industry has spent over one billion Naira on responsible drinking campaigns across all media platforms, which have shown significant success in curbing underage drinking.
He argued that sachet alcohol caters to budget-conscious adults who deserve to keep their purchasing options, and that smaller portions could actually help prevent overconsumption compared to larger bottles. MAN pointed out that locally made sachet-packaged alcohol meets hygiene requirements and regulatory standards, warning that a ban might open the door to unregulated, illicit products operating outside oversight, creating serious risks for consumers.
“When demand exists for a legal product, robust regulation and control offer the most viable approach rather than outright prohibition,” Ajayi-Kadir explained, adding that the ban would cede markets to smuggled foreign brands lacking quality assurance.
MAN is urging quick approval of the validated Nigeria National Alcohol Policy and its multi-sectoral framework, which would make the proposed ban unnecessary. The association is asking the Senate to scrap the ban order and stop NAFDAC from enforcing it starting December 31, 2025.
Ajayi-Kadir said that MAN has always supported efforts to remove unsafe products from the market, but stressed that such actions should be based on solid evidence, not emotions. He warned that giving in to these pressures could harm jobs, threaten livelihoods, and cause unexpected consequences.
The association pledged continued collaboration with sachet alcohol producers to ensure regulatory compliance, oversee public campaigns, restrict minor access, and promote responsible drinking.
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