Labour Unions Barricade NAFDAC Lagos Office Over Sachet Alcohol Ban

Labour Unions Barricade NAFDAC Lagos Office Over Sachet Alcohol Ban

Hundreds of workers and union members under the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) barricaded the NAFDAC office in Isolo, Lagos on Thursday, marking the seventh consecutive day of protests over the enforcement of the sachet alcohol ban. The demonstration disrupted normal operations, with protesters blocking access to the NAFDAC premises from early morning, chanting slogans such as “No work for us, no work for you”, and demanding the immediate reopening of sealed factories, depots, and warehouses nationwide. Police officers intervened mid-morning to restore access, but union leaders vowed to continue their action until all demands are met.

The protest stems from NAFDAC’s enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol and 10cl PET bottled products, which has led to the closure of several indigenous factories, depots, and warehouses. Union leaders argue that entire facilities — including those producing lawful products — are being shut down unnecessarily, a move they describe as “calculated economic suffocation.” Anthony Oyaga, TUC Secretary, stated: “Across the country, indigenous manufacturing companies are being sealed. Factories are being shut down. Depots are being closed. Warehouses are being locked — including those containing other lawful products not connected to the targeted items.” Protesters warned that prolonged shutdowns are threatening livelihoods, affecting not only factory workers but also transporters, suppliers, distributors, market women, artisans, and logistics personnel. They stressed that such measures could push vulnerable youths into poverty, fuel social vices, and even pose national security risks if the situation persists.

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Union leaders, including FOBTOB National Secretary Jeffery Igein, emphasised that the protests would continue until the government addresses the economic fallout of factory closures and replaces strict enforcement with targeted regulatory measures. “We are not criminals. We are workers. We are producers. We are parents. We are taxpayers. We are Nigerians,” Igein said, stressing that the protests are peaceful and lawful.

NAFDAC, led by Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has maintained that it has not received any official directive from the federal government to suspend enforcement. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare also affirmed that NAFDAC has the exclusive legal mandate to regulate food and drug products, including sachet alcohol. Despite this, union leaders continue to demand dialogue with policymakers and the reopening of factories, depots, and warehouses, arguing that blanket enforcement has caused unnecessary economic hardship.

The protests underscore ongoing tension in Nigeria between public health policies and economic livelihoods, highlighting the delicate balance regulators face in enforcing bans while preserving jobs and sustaining industries. Workers insist that they will maintain pressure until what they call economic strangulation is reversed and structured regulation replaces punitive closures.