MAN warns NAFDAC sachet alcohol ban might set off unintended penalties

The Producers Affiliation of Nigeria (MAN) has cautioned that the Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management’s (NAFDAC) enforcement actions towards sachet alcohol might set off unintended penalties within the nation.

The warning was issued by MAN’s Director-Normal, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, throughout an interview on Come up Tv on Thursday.

Whereas acknowledging considerations round underage alcohol consumption, MAN argues that an outright ban on sachet and small-volume alcoholic drinks is a blunt coverage instrument that would inflict important financial injury with out addressing the foundation of the issue.

The affiliation maintains that sachet packaging is a reputable and extensively used enterprise mannequin designed to serve low-income customers, and that higher regulation—not prohibition—provides a extra balanced answer.

What MAN is saying 

Ajayi-Kadir mentioned the core concern with sachet alcohol is misuse, not the packaging format, stressing that comparable packaging is used throughout a number of shopper items sectors.

“There isn’t a doubt that sachet manufacturing is a enterprise mannequin that has been used and remains to be being utilized in many merchandise. You’ve gotten milk and a number of other different consumables in sachets to achieve low-budget customers,” he mentioned.

“If sachet alcohol results in the fingers of the mistaken folks, what we must always do is take measures—and we’re already taking measures, typically together with NAFDAC—to maintain it away from kids and people not purported to eat it.” 

“Everywhere in the world, there are considerations about alcohol consumption by kids, and the answer recognized is restriction of entry. That’s the reason I’m stunned that what NAFDAC is prepared and fast to do is one thing that may convey unintended penalties.” 

“If the one instrument you may have is a hammer, each object will seem like a nail. That isn’t why regulatory businesses are established.” 

He added that regulatory businesses are supposed to work collaboratively with stakeholders to determine dangers and implement proportionate options reasonably than imposing sweeping bans.

Backstory

Nigeria’s debate over sachet alcohol has been ongoing for a number of years, pushed largely by considerations over abuse, underage consumption and public well being dangers related to low cost, high-strength alcoholic drinks.

For producers, nevertheless, sachet and small-volume packaging represents a essential hyperlink between producers and low-income customers, particularly at a time of declining buying energy and rising inflation.

Extra insights 

MAN argues that producers have already been partaking regulators to handle abuse considerations by focused interventions reasonably than bans.

• Proposed measures embody clearer labelling necessities, stronger on- and off-licence enforcement, and public consciousness campaigns on accountable consumption.
• The affiliation additionally factors to stricter monitoring of producers, wholesalers and retailers to make sure compliance with age restrictions.
• Ajayi-Kadir mentioned improved knowledge utilization and traceability instruments might assist regulators determine leakages and implement entry controls extra successfully.
• He referenced a 2025 anti-substance abuse initiative involving MTN, the Nationwide Drug Legislation Enforcement Company and the United Nations Workplace on Medication and Crime, which reportedly prioritised limiting entry over outright product bans.

In accordance with MAN, these approaches align extra intently with international finest practices and would minimise financial disruption.

What you need to know 

NAFDAC not too long ago commenced enforcement of a ban on the manufacturing and sale of alcoholic drinks in sachets and PET bottles beneath 200 millilitres.

The company had earlier introduced on November 11, 2025, that full enforcement would start in December 2025 following a directive from the Senate.

Implementation was quickly suspended after the Federal Authorities ordered a halt to enforcement actions pending additional consultations and a last coverage resolution.

Nairametrics beforehand reported that MAN warned the proposed ban might wipe out over N1.9 trillion in investments and threaten greater than 5 million direct and oblique jobs nationwide.