The Food Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FBTSS) and the National Union of Food, Beverages, and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) have issued a warning that a proposed ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol in sachet and polyethene terephthalate (PET) bottle formats could lead to the loss of over 500,000 jobs. This concern was raised during a protest at the Lagos office of the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), with the associations urging the government to reconsider its stance in light of the economic repercussions.
The associations highlighted the severe impact this ban could have, potentially forcing half a million individuals into an already saturated job market, and risking the closure of many businesses, especially those local industries that supply raw materials to alcohol producers. Emmanuel Idogien, Vice Chairman of the NUFBTE Lagos Council, during the protest, pointed out the significant threat to employment and the operational sustainability of several companies.
Moreover, the groups emphasized that their members have been significant contributors to the national economy through substantial tax payments and have engaged in initiatives to promote responsible alcohol consumption. They argued against the outright ban, suggesting that NAFDAC and the government should instead implement targeted regulations and public education campaigns to address concerns without causing economic harm. They warned that the ban could inadvertently benefit counterfeiters and producers of illicit alcohol, leading to health risks for consumers.