Glytabs December 2025/January 2026 Newsletter
Sachet Alcohol Ban Sparks Protests: Nigeria Faces Jobs and Investment Risk
The Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), alongside the labour unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, recently staged protests against NAFDAC’s enforcement of the ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles under 200ml. The coalition warned that the policy threatens over five million jobs and places at least US$2.13 billion in local investments at risk, with disproportionate effects on indigenous manufacturers and the wider value chain. Protesters argued that regulation, rather than outright prohibition, is the globally accepted standard, noting that effective oversight and advocacy can improve safety without undermining livelihoods.
From Glytabs’ perspective, consumer protection and public health are non-negotiable objectives, but achieving these goals requires the sensitivity of a careful balance of policies that are not only well-intentioned but also carefully designed and implemented. The ongoing debate raises an important question: if regulation is the preferred global standard, will there be deliberate collaboration between these industry groups and regulators to make such regulation effective, enforceable, and trusted by the public? Sustainable solutions will depend on open engagement, clear standards, and shared accountability between regulators like NAFDAC and industry stakeholders.
Glytabs supports the call for a balanced approach that aligns public health goals with economic stability. Abrupt policy shifts that overlook socio-economic realities risk triggering unintended disruptions across the value chain. We have unknowingly developed a ‘militarized’ culture of ‘with immediate effect’ in every government pronouncement and even in regulatory actions which require flexibility, and this should not be so. We therefore call for a structured dialogue, phased implementation, and strengthened regulatory capacity as more effective alternatives to blanket bans. Glytabs will continue to offer technical expertise in food and beverage compliance, risk assessment, product testing, process audits, and workforce training. Our work focuses on helping manufacturers meet safety and quality standards while operating responsibly within established regulatory frameworks. The objective is to promote evidence-based guidance and capacity-building in an environment that protects consumers, preserves investments, and sustains employment across Nigeria’s food and beverage sector.
Leave a Reply