Bottles of Death: SWAN rallies media to combat ₦472bn illicit alcohol crisis

The fight against Nigeria’s surging illicit alcohol trade took centre stage recently as Mr. Tony Okwoju, Director-General of the Spirits and Wine Association of Nigeria (SWAN), called on the media to help dismantle a criminal industry that is quite literally killing its customers.

Speaking at a Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) roundtable, Okwoju highlighted a grim reality: counterfeiters are no longer just cutting corners on quality; they are substituting ethanol with methanol—a toxic industrial chemical that causes permanent blindness, organ failure, and death.

The economic toll is equally devastating. Citing data from a Deloitte report, Okwoju revealed that Nigeria hemorrhages an estimated ₦472 billion annually to illicit trade.

This underground economy now commands a staggering 40% of the total market share, effectively starving the government of tax revenue and threatening billions of naira in legitimate private sector investments.

The SWAN boss described this as a “tripartite threat” that undermines public health, national security, and economic stability all at once.

One of the most insidious tactics used by these criminal syndicates, according to him, involves scavenging high-end bars and dumpsters for empty, branded glass bottles.

These authentic containers are then refilled with cheap, poisonous mixtures and resealed to look like the real thing.

To combat this, Okwoju noted that major manufacturers have been forced to adopt expensive countermeasures, including deploying specialized teams to nightclubs to retrieve and crush their own empty bottles.

By destroying the packaging, the industry hopes to starve counterfeiters of the primary tools they need to deceive the public.

Looking ahead, SWAN is preparing for a high-stakes stakeholder workshop scheduled for April 22, 2026.

The forum is designed to bring enforcement agencies and government regulators under one roof to forge a unified front against the counterfeiters.

Okwoju emphasized that without more stringent enforcement and a massive boost in public awareness, these dangerous commercial hubs will continue to thrive at the expense of Nigerian lives.

Supporting the call for action, BJAN Chairman Daniel Obi emphasized the media’s commitment to promoting responsibility within the beverage industry.

He noted that through collaborative storytelling and accurate reporting, journalists can amplify the dangers of illicit consumption and help protect consumers.

As the April stakeholder forum approaches, the message from the industry is clear: the era of silence regarding counterfeit spirits is over, as the cost of the trade is now being measured in both lost billions and lost lives.

Lagos NURTW Chairman Sego Distributes Exotic Cars, Luxury Items to Cabinet Members (Video)

The Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), popularly known as Sego, has distributed exotic cars, luxury items, and other valuables to members of his cabinet.

The development, which took place on Tuesday, drew attention across Lagos as beneficiaries reportedly received high-end vehicles and other expensive gifts as part of what insiders described as a reward and appreciation gesture.

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Sources within the union disclosed that the items shared included luxury cars, household equipment, and other high-value materials, aimed at boosting morale among cabinet members and strengthening loyalty within the leadership structure of the union.

Observers say the move highlights the growing influence and financial strength of transport unions in Lagos, particularly the NURTW, which plays a key role in the state’s transport sector.

While supporters of the chairman have praised the gesture as a sign of generosity and leadership, critics argue that such displays of wealth raise questions about transparency and accountability within union operations.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from Sego addressing the distribution, but the development has continued to generate reactions among stakeholders in the transport industry and the wider public.

The Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), popularly known as Sego, has distributed exotic cars, luxury items, and other valuables to members of his cabinet

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Lagos NURTW Chairman Sego Distributes Exotic Cars, Luxury Items to Cabinet Members (Video)

Naira Slides to ₦1,415 per Dollar in Parallel Market as Official Rate Weakens

The Nigerian Naira continued its downward trend yesterday, trading at ₦1,415 per US dollar in the parallel (black) market, up from ₦1,405 per dollar last Friday. This latest depreciation underscores ongoing pressure on the currency amid high demand for foreign exchange and limited supply.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that the naira also weakened in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), trading at ₦1,386.75 per dollar, a drop from ₦1,384.25 recorded last week. This reflects a modest ₦2.50 decline at the official window.

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The gap between the parallel and official rates widened further to ₦28.25 per dollar, compared with ₦20.75 over the weekend, highlighting persistent market distortions between formal and informal forex channels.

Analysts say the naira’s slide is largely driven by rising dollar demand from importers, investors, and corporate traders, while supply remains constrained despite CBN interventions aimed at stabilising the currency. Recent policy adjustments, including allowing oil exporters more flexibility to repatriate proceeds, have yet to significantly ease pressure on the naira.

The depreciation in both the parallel and official markets has direct implications for import costs, inflation, and the purchasing power of Nigerian households and businesses. Market watchers are closely monitoring the CBN’s next moves, with expectations that further policy actions may be needed to curb the naira’s decline.

Naira Slides to ₦1,415 per Dollar in Parallel Market as Official Rate Weakens