By: Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
Workers of International Distilleries Limited (IDL), alongside other members of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), on Thursday and Friday, January 23 and 24, 2026, staged a protest in Lagos against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over its enforcement of a ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small PET bottles.
The protest, which was supported by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), was triggered by NAFDAC’s decision to commence full enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic drinks in sachets and containers below 200 millilitres.
The aggrieved workers converged at NAFDAC’s Lagos office, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs to express their opposition to the policy, which they described as anti-industry and economically harmful.
Union leaders at the protest warned that the ban could lead to massive job losses across the sector’s value chain, estimating that about 5.5 million jobs are at risk if the policy is not reversed. They further argued that investments valued at over ₦3 trillion could be jeopardised, with local manufacturers bearing the brunt of the impact.
The protesters also accused NAFDAC of disregarding a directive allegedly issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), which they claimed instructed the agency to suspend enforcement of the ban pending further consultations with key stakeholders.
However, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, defended the policy, insisting that the ban is aimed at safeguarding public health, particularly protecting minors from easy access to alcohol. She noted that stakeholders had previously agreed to a five-year phase-out plan before the commencement of enforcement.
At the end of the protest, the workers called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the enforcement of the ban and adopt policies that would protect jobs, encourage local production, and sustain investments in the manufacturing sector.
#NAFDAC #IDL #NLC #TUC
