The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has accused the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of pursuing what it described as a “sinister agenda” to destroy indigenous-owned industries involved in the production of wines and spirits.

for

This accusation followed the agency’s enforcement of a ban on alcohol packaged in sachets.

The allegation was made by the Executive Secretary of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association, Comrade Solomon Adebosin, during a protest by union members at the NAFDAC office against the implementation of the sachet alcohol ban.

Adebosin said the policy, if allowed to stand, would result in massive job losses and the collapse of local manufacturing firms.

The union leader questioned why NAFDAC went ahead with enforcing the policy despite a directive from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) asking that the ban be placed on hold to allow for proper review, particularly because of its far-reaching economic consequences.

He recalled that organised labour had earlier warned that more than five million jobs and over ₦3 trillion in investments were at risk, insisting that the decision could further worsen unemployment and economic hardship in the country.

Adebosin stressed that globally accepted solutions such as proper regulation, access control and sustained public advocacy remain more effective and sustainable ways of addressing concerns around alcohol consumption rather than an outright ban.

Also speaking at the protest, Comrade Azeez Rasaki, who represented the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees, said NAFDAC’s action contradicts the economic recovery objectives of the Tinubu administration.

He noted that the policy runs contrary to the Federal Government’s policy, which claims to prioritise job creation, industrial growth and support for local enterprises.

The unions demanded an immediate suspension of the enforcement of the sachet alcohol ban and called for broad stakeholder engagement to arrive at a more balanced and economically sustainable regulatory framework.

SaharaReporters previously highlighted the controversy surrounding the NAFDAC’s decision to ban sachet and small-bottle alcoholic beverages, effective December 2025.

The move has faced backlash from some Nigerians, with critics warning of potential economic consequences.

At a press conference in Abuja, civil society group Stand Up Nigeria condemned the ban, calling it “undemocratic” and warning that it could put millions of jobs at risk.

The group’s convener, Sunday Attah, described the directive as “high-handed and illegal,” expressing disappointment over the lack of consultation with key stakeholders and industry players.

According to Attah, NAFDAC’s decision disregarded earlier resolutions reached during meetings with the Federal Ministry of Health and members of the House of Representatives.

Stand Up Nigeria also raised concerns that the ban appeared to stem from alleged Senate resolutions, which the group argued “undermined due consultation and consensus-building” in the policymaking process.

NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, had previously stated that the ban followed a Senate directive instructing the agency to enforce the measure without further extensions.

For Advert, Event Coverage/Press Conference Invite, Story/Article Publication & Other Media Services
Contact Us On WhatsApp
Send Email To: citizennewsng@gmail.com
Visit Citizen NewsNG To Read More Latest And Interesting News Across Nigeria And The World