- Lagos State Chairman of FOBTOB, Olamiye Somefun, said the union’s next step would be to take the protest to Abuja
- They reiterated earlier claims that over five million Nigerians could be directly or indirectly affected if the policy remains in force
- He expressed concern that NAFDAC proceeded to shut down factories while discussions were still ongoing
Workers in the sachet alcohol industry, backed by labour unions and civil society groups, have warned that a nationwide protest may be inevitable if the federal government fails to reverse the ban on sachet alcoholic drinks and PET bottles below 200 millilitres.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the warning was issued on Monday as aggrieved employees once again gathered at the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) along the Oshodi–Apapa Expressway, marking their second protest in three days.
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The protesters, drawn from the Food, Beverages and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) and the National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), said the ban has crippled production activities and placed millions of jobs at risk.
They reiterated earlier claims that over five million Nigerians could be directly or indirectly affected if the policy remains in force.
Although NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, had engaged the unions after Friday’s protest, she reportedly maintained that the ban would stand unless the relevant laws are amended.
At Monday’s demonstration, union members were joined by the Coalition for the Protection of Consumers’ Rights. The crowd carried placards, chanted solidarity songs and demanded an immediate review of the policy.
Speaking to journalists, FOBTOB National President, Oyibo Jimoh, said ongoing engagements with the House of Representatives were focused on developing a comprehensive national alcohol policy that balances public health concerns with economic realities.
He expressed concern that NAFDAC proceeded to shut down factories while discussions were still ongoing, describing the action as inconsistent with the Federal Government’s broader position.
Jimoh also challenged claims by the NAFDAC leadership about the alcohol content of sachet products, alleging that some of the assertions were misleading. He added that labour unions were excluded from Senate deliberations that preceded the factory closures, vowing that the workers would continue to push back against the decision.
Similarly, NUFBTE’s Head of Brewery and Tobacco, Azeez Rasaq, warned that the union could escalate its actions by mobilising national labour centres, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
“If the government keeps ignoring our appeals, a nationwide protest is very likely,” Rasaq said. “No responsible labour body will watch over five million jobs disappear and remain silent.”
On behalf of the civil society organisations, Declan Ihekaira argued that the ban unfairly targets low-income consumers and violates their rights to make lawful choices. He said the groups were prepared to mobilise their members nationwide if the policy is not reversed.
One of the affected workers, Biodun Adeyemi, said he was ready to join a nationwide protest, stressing that job losses would have far-reaching consequences for families who depend on the industry for survival.
“This decision doesn’t just affect workers; it affects households and dependants,” he said. “If mass action is what it takes for our voices to be heard, then we are prepared.”
Also speaking, Lagos State Chairman of FOBTOB, Olamiye Somefun, said the union’s next step would be to take the protest to Abuja and the National Assembly if authorities fail to respond.
“Our lawmakers need to hear us directly,” Somefun said. “The government promised to improve the lives of Nigerians, and this policy is doing the opposite.”
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