The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, is showing deep concern over the renewed enforcement by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, of a ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small PET bottles, stating the development as a serious concern misstep with economic implications.
According to a statement signed by the Director General of NECA, Wale-Smatt Oyerinde, it stated that the action directly contradicts the directive of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation dated 15 December 2025, suspending the ban, as well as the resolution of the House of Representatives of 14 March 2024, which called for public and stakeholder engagement.
The statement further noted that continued enforcement is already affecting legitimate businesses, unsettling ongoing investments, putting thousands of jobs at risk, and weakening confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory stability at a time when investor trust is critical.
NECA supports the protecting of minors, the removal of unsafe products from the market, and bringing back strong public health outcomes.
However, the current approach is misdirected. It disproportionately targets compliant and regulated manufacturers while failing to address the real drivers of underage access and the growing challenge of illicit substance abuse across the country,” he said.
He explained that the alcoholic and products now being targeted were tested, registered, and periodically revalidated in accordance with NAFDAC’s scientific and technical procedures. Alcohol strength is measured globally using Alcohol by Volume, ABV, and the products in question fall within internationally recognised ranges for spirits.
Their alcohol content is clearly printed on the labels and complies with Nigeria’s regulatory framework. He stated that abruptly labeling such products as inherently dangerous, without presenting new, transparent scientific evidence, raises serious questions about regulatory consistency and fairness.
He explained that the alcoholic and products now being targeted were tested, registered, and periodically revalidated in accordance with NAFDAC’s scientific and technical procedures. Alcohol strength is measured globally using Alcohol by Volume, ABV, and the products in question fall within internationally recognised ranges for spirits.
Their alcohol content is clearly printed on the labels and complies with Nigeria’s regulatory framework. He stated that abruptly labeling such products as inherently dangerous,· without presenting new, transparent scientific evidence, raises serious questions about regulatory consistency and fairness.
