By Micah Jonah
February 13, 2026
Distillers under the Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) staged a protest at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) office along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos State, on Thursday. The protest was sparked by continued enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol, despite a Federal Government directive suspending its implementation.
The workers blocked access to the agency’s premises, disrupting operations and preventing vehicles from entering. The action came after reports credited to the offices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the National Security Adviser (NSA) indicated a suspension of the ban pending further clarification.
Kolawole Buhari, National Vice-President (West) of FOBTOB, expressed disappointment with NAFDAC Director-General Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, who dismissed the suspension reports as false. Buhari stressed that adults enabling children to access alcohol, not the product itself, is the core concern. He urged the government to review the national alcohol policy and sanction violators rather than shutting down the industry.
Lanre Yusuf, National Deputy President of FOBTOB, said NAFDAC’s stance contradicted the Federal Government directive, calling for immediate reopening of sealed factories and depots. Similarly, Ogun State Chairman Godwin Ahoh warned that ongoing enforcement had affected production lines, threatened jobs, and left machinery idle.
The ban on alcoholic beverages sold in sachets and bottles below 200ml, enforced by NAFDAC since early 2026, has faced criticism from industry and labour groups, citing potential loss of millions of jobs and jeopardized investments. Proponents argue the measure is necessary to protect public health.
The Union, while advocating dialogue, did not rule out legal action to clarify policy implementation if necessary.
