Industry leaders warn sachet alcohol ban threatens major investments
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association have raised concerns about the economic impact of banning alcoholic beverages in sachets and small PET bottles. Adewale Oyerinde and Segun Ajayi-Kadir argue that such a ban could jeopardise over N400bn in investments and hundreds of thousands of jobs. They emphasise that abrupt regulatory actions risk pushing economic activity into unregulated markets and undermining investor confidence. Both groups stress the need for evidence-based regulation and call for a suspension of enforcement.
TLDR
- Adewale Oyerinde (NECA) and Segun Ajayi-Kadir (MAN) warn that banning sachet alcohol could destroy over N400bn in investments and threaten more than 500,000 jobs.
- The associations argue that the ban will not curb alcohol abuse or underage drinking but will instead drive consumers to unregulated and unsafe alternatives.
- They highlight that the value chain for wines and spirits supports significant economic activity, including manufacturing, packaging, logistics, and agriculture.
- Both groups criticise regulatory inconsistency and urge authorities to suspend the ban and focus on targeted enforcement and public education.
- They maintain that sachet and small PET alcohol products have been tested and approved by NAFDAC and reflect the socio-economic realities of many Nigerian consumers.
