The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has warned that the renewed enforcement of the ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small bottles could endanger more than five million direct and indirect jobs and put about ₦800 billion in investments at risk.
President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, raised the concern in a statement issued by the chamber’s Media and Strategy Officer, Olayemi John-Mensah, describing the action by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as economically disruptive and harmful to investor confidence.
Obegolu said the enforcement comes at a time Nigeria needs regulatory stability to support growth and job creation, noting that while the chamber supports public health objectives such as protecting minors and promoting responsible alcohol consumption, the manner of implementation was troubling.
According to him, the renewed action contradicts existing government directives and legislative resolutions, including the December 15, 2025 directive by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) suspending the ban, and the March 14, 2024 resolution of the House of Representatives urging restraint and wider stakeholder consultations.
“The sudden enforcement raises serious concerns about regulatory inconsistency and policy reversals, which can undermine investor confidence,” Obegolu said.
He recalled that in December 2018, NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) entered into a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with manufacturers to gradually phase out sachet and small-volume alcoholic beverages by January 31, 2024. The moratorium, he said, was later extended to December 2025 following sustained engagement with industry stakeholders.
“Despite these agreed transition timelines, the renewed enforcement is already disrupting legitimate businesses across manufacturing, packaging, distribution and retail value chains, exposing millions of Nigerians to potential job losses,” he stated.
Obegolu cautioned that an outright ban without adequate transition measures could fuel the spread of illicit and unregulated alcohol products, undermining public health goals and reducing government revenue.
He stressed that effective regulation should focus on control, compliance and enforcement rather than outright prohibition.
The ACCI president called for a further extension of the implementation deadline to December 2026 to allow manufacturers complete transition processes, restructure operations and exhaust existing inventories without avoidable economic shocks.
He also advocated the creation of a multi-stakeholder implementation committee involving regulatory agencies, policymakers, organised private sector groups and industry operators to ensure coordinated, transparent and practical execution of the policy.
Obegolu reaffirmed ACCI’s readiness to work with NAFDAC, relevant ministries, the National Assembly and other stakeholders to achieve responsible regulation that protects consumers while sustaining investments, jobs and business growth.
