The Renevlyn Development Initiative has urged NAFDAC to stand firm on enforcing the ban on the production, distribution and sale of alcoholic drinks in sachets and containers of 200 millilitres and below.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Philip Jakpor, the group said the call became necessary following rising opposition from sections of the alcohol and beverage industry after enforcement began on January 22. He noted that the current crackdown is the outcome of more than two years of engagements between NAFDAC and industry stakeholders.
Jakpor recalled that the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria signed an agreement with the Federal Ministry of Health and NAFDAC in December 2018 to phase out alcohol in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml by January 31, 2024. The deadline was later extended to give manufacturers more time to comply, he added.
He criticised the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria for attacking the policy on the grounds of possible job losses and operational disruptions. Jakpor said NAFDAC has rightly insisted that the policy is irreversible because it is motivated by public health concerns, particularly the risk to children exposed to cheap, strong alcohol at an early age.
He praised the agency for what he described as a bold, life saving intervention. According to him, arguments about “imaginary job losses” are familiar talking points used by the alcohol industry to defend profit at the expense of public health.
Jakpor said alcohol misuse remains a major but poorly addressed driver of non communicable diseases and mental health problems, affecting both adults and children. He cited Movendi International’s 2025 Big Alcohol Exposed report, which documented more than 1,300 cases and 77 independent studies on how the industry tries to weaken evidence based alcohol policies around the world.
He described the sustained push by alcohol lobbyists in Nigeria to derail the sachet alcohol ban under the banner of job protection as part of a global pattern of industry interference adapted to local conditions.
RDI urged NAFDAC not to bow to pressure, calling the ban an important policy that could set a standard for other African countries facing similar lobbying from the alcohol industry. Jakpor also commended NAFDAC Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, for prioritising the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.
He insisted that Nigerians support the move and predicted that the “false narratives and twisted rhetoric” of the alcohol industry will fail.
About the author
Tinubu doing well across key sectors, says Gowon
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), has praised President Bola Tinubu’s performance, saying the administration is doing well across key sectors of national life.He spoke with State House correspondents after a private meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Gowon said his visit was to greet the President and thank him for the efforts being made to move the country forward.According to him, the government is working in political, economic and social areas, as well as in tackling security challenges. He acknowledged that Nigerians are facing difficulties but urged citizens to be patient and give the administration time for its reforms to yield fuller results.He added that it is too early to expect all problems to be solved, noting that major policy changes usually take time to reflect in people’s daily lives. Gowon encouraged Nigerians […]
Fuel price hike: Presidency faults Obi on strategic reserve proposal
The Presidency has rejected claims by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi that Nigeria’s rising fuel prices are mainly due to a lack of strategic petroleum reserves.It said Obi’s comments oversimplify a complex problem and ignore the deeper structural challenges that have long affected the country’s energy sector. In a statement shared on social media, presidential aide Dada Olusegun argued that recent increases in petrol prices are largely driven by global market forces, not the absence of strategic reserves.He noted that many advanced economies with large reserves still experience price swings because reserves are not used simply to stop normal market movements. Olusegun stressed that Nigeria’s main problem lies in decades of low refining capacity, heavy dependence on imported petrol, and pressure on the foreign exchange market.He said these long term issues make the country highly vulnerable whenever international […]
National Museum names Dufuna canoe, Lugard Bridge top heritage sites
The National Commission for Museums and Monuments has listed the ancient Dufuna canoe and Lugard’s Footbridge as two of Nigeria’s most important heritage sites.The commission said both sites reflect key phases in Nigeria’s history, from prehistoric innovation to the colonial era. The Dufuna canoe, discovered in 1987 near the village of Dufuna in Yobe State, is regarded as the oldest known boat in Africa and the second oldest in the world.Radiocarbon dating places the canoe at about 8,000 years old, showing that advanced boat-making and fishing activities existed in the region thousands of years ago. According to the commission, the canoe offers rare insight into early human settlement, transport, and trade along the Komadugu Gana River and surrounding communities.It described the artefact as a national and global treasure that strengthens Nigeria’s place in discussions on world archaeology and early technology. […]
Gavi ready to play for Barcelona after injury
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick says Spanish midfielder Gavi is ready to return to action after spending several months out with a knee injury.The 21 year old has received medical clearance and could feature for the first time since August in Barcelona’s next league match at Camp Nou. Gavi suffered a serious injury to the medial meniscus in his right knee last year and later underwent surgery, which kept him on the sidelines for around five months.He has since completed a rehabilitation programme and recently rejoined full group training with the rest of the squad. Flick explained that the club’s medical staff now consider Gavi fit enough to be reintegrated into competitive games, even if he only plays limited minutes at first.The coach added that the final decision on how many minutes he will get depends on how the match goes […]
Ejuke back in Sevilla training ahead of Barcelona clash
Super Eagles winger Chidera Ejuke has returned to full training with Sevilla ahead of their La Liga clash with Barcelona.The Nigerian missed Wednesday’s session due to a minor ailment but was back with the squad on Thursday, easing fears over his fitness. Reports from Spain say Ejuke took part in team drills and tactical work, indicating he is available for selection for the trip to Camp Nou.His return is a big boost for manager Matías Almeyda, who has been dealing with several injuries in the squad. Defenders Kike Salas and Marcao, as well as forward Peque, are still sidelined, but other players carrying minor knocks have also resumed training.This has slightly improved Sevilla’s options as they prepare for a difficult visit to the La Liga leaders. Ejuke has contributed one goal and one assist for Sevilla this season, adding pace […]
Akor Adams ready and motivated to face Barcelona
Super Eagles striker Akor Adams says he is highly motivated and looking forward to facing Barcelona in Sevilla’s upcoming La Liga clash.The Nigerian forward believes the game is another chance to make history and prove himself against one of the biggest clubs in world football. Adams recently ended a frustrating goal drought by scoring in Sevilla’s 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium.He described the goal as a major confidence boost and said it has put him in a positive frame of mind ahead of the trip to Barcelona. Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda confirmed that Adams is in good spirits and fully focused on the task ahead.According to the coach, the striker is working hard in training and understands how important the match is for Sevilla’s season. Adams has been an important player for Sevilla this campaign, […]
Related
Tinubu doing well across key sectors, says Gowon
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), has praised President Bola Tinubu’s performance, saying the administration is doing well across key sectors of national life.He spoke with State House correspondents after a private meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Gowon said his visit was to greet the President and thank him for the efforts being made to move the country forward.According to him, the government is working in political, economic and social areas, as well as in tackling security challenges. He acknowledged that Nigerians are facing difficulties but urged citizens to be patient and give the administration time for its reforms to yield fuller results.He added that it is too early to expect all problems to be solved, noting that major policy changes usually take time to reflect in people’s daily lives. Gowon encouraged Nigerians […]
Fuel price hike: Presidency faults Obi on strategic reserve proposal
The Presidency has rejected claims by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi that Nigeria’s rising fuel prices are mainly due to a lack of strategic petroleum reserves.It said Obi’s comments oversimplify a complex problem and ignore the deeper structural challenges that have long affected the country’s energy sector. In a statement shared on social media, presidential aide Dada Olusegun argued that recent increases in petrol prices are largely driven by global market forces, not the absence of strategic reserves.He noted that many advanced economies with large reserves still experience price swings because reserves are not used simply to stop normal market movements. Olusegun stressed that Nigeria’s main problem lies in decades of low refining capacity, heavy dependence on imported petrol, and pressure on the foreign exchange market.He said these long term issues make the country highly vulnerable whenever international […]
National Museum names Dufuna canoe, Lugard Bridge top heritage sites
The National Commission for Museums and Monuments has listed the ancient Dufuna canoe and Lugard’s Footbridge as two of Nigeria’s most important heritage sites.The commission said both sites reflect key phases in Nigeria’s history, from prehistoric innovation to the colonial era. The Dufuna canoe, discovered in 1987 near the village of Dufuna in Yobe State, is regarded as the oldest known boat in Africa and the second oldest in the world.Radiocarbon dating places the canoe at about 8,000 years old, showing that advanced boat-making and fishing activities existed in the region thousands of years ago. According to the commission, the canoe offers rare insight into early human settlement, transport, and trade along the Komadugu Gana River and surrounding communities.It described the artefact as a national and global treasure that strengthens Nigeria’s place in discussions on world archaeology and early technology. […]
Ex-Super Eagles legend Henry Nwosu dies at 62
Former Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu has died at the age of 62, plunging Nigerian football into deep mourning.He reportedly passed away around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, where he had been in intensive care for several days. The news of his death was announced by his former teammate and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Segun Odegbami, who shared the sad development on his media platforms.Odegbami revealed that Nwosu battled for his life for about five days in the hospital before he passed on. Henry Nwosu was a key member of Nigeria’s historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations squad, which delivered the country’s first-ever AFCON title on home soil.As the youngest player in that team, he was widely admired for his creativity, vision, composure on the ball, and excellent reading […]
Iran envoy urges global action on Palestinian crisis
Iran’s ambassador has called for urgent, coordinated international action to address what Tehran describes as a deepening humanitarian and political crisis facing the Palestinian people. Speaking against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel–Palestine war and wider strikes in the region, the envoy urged Muslim and non Muslim nations, especially members of the Non Aligned Movement, to speak out more forcefully against Israeli military operations and the blockade on Gaza. He argued that silence or “neutrality” in the face of rising civilian casualties amounts to complicity. The ambassador called on the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly to move beyond statements and adopt “urgent, collective measures” to halt attacks on civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, ensure accountability for alleged war crimes and guarantee the delivery of humanitarian aid. He also pressed for sustained funding for UNRWA and other […]
Iran war: Falana urges Nigeria to work with other countries to pressure Trump
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on Nigeria to collaborate with other countries to mount diplomatic pressure on United States President Donald Trump over the ongoing war involving Iran, Israel and the US. Falana said Nigeria should revive its tradition of multilateral diplomacy, like in the days of the Non Aligned Movement, by working with other nations to ensure respect for international law and to push for restraint on all sides. He criticised Trump for what he described as contempt for international law and United Nations resolutions, noting that the US under his watch has withdrawn from dozens of UN decisions. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria argued that Nigeria and other countries must persuade global powers such as China and Russia to intervene diplomatically in the crisis, since they wield significant influence over […]