Food and beverage sector unions have warned the Federal Government that NAFDAC’s enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol and small PET bottles could trigger massive job losses and factory shutdowns. They say the continued sealing of production lines and depots is already disrupting operations in breweries and distilleries across the country.
Leaders of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association and the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees protested again at NAFDAC’s Lagos office, demanding that the agency obey the recent directive suspending the crackdown. They argue that with the national alcohol policy already signed, NAFDAC should have lifted restrictions instead of moving to close more factories.
Union officials estimate that the policy could threaten hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs in manufacturing, logistics and retail. They also warn that wiping out regulated sachet and 200ml PET products may push more consumers towards illicit, unregistered alcohol, creating new health and security risks.
NAFDAC had set December 31, 2025 as the deadline for full enforcement of the ban on alcohol in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml, citing rising abuse among underage and low income consumers. The agency insists that the measure is needed to protect public health and reduce alcohol related harm in communities.
However, the unions want a review of the policy that balances health concerns with the need to protect jobs and investments. They are calling on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to intervene, compel NAFDAC to fully comply with the suspension order, reopen sealed plants and work with stakeholders on phased or alternative controls.
About the author
INEC dismisses reports of revised 2027 campaign timetable
The Independent National Electoral Commission has dismissed reports circulating online that it has revised the campaign timetable for the 2027 general elections, describing the viral graphic as fake. INEC said the document making the rounds on social media did not originate from the commission and should be disregarded by the public. The commission explained that it does not issue campaign timetables separately, as all official campaign dates are already included in the revised timetable and schedule of activities released on February 26, 2026. According to the existing schedule, campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections are due to begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will start on September 9, 2026. The timetable also sets January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and February 6, 2027, for governorship and state assembly polls. […]
2027: I won’t let you tie me down, we’ll wrestle to finish — Tinubu warns opposition
President Bola Tinubu has warned opposition figures that he will not allow them to “tie” him down politically ahead of the 2027 general election, saying the contest will be fought to the finish. Tinubu made the statement on Tuesday during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at the State House in Abuja. He said he had asked for the job and was prepared for the political battle, but would not offer opponents “a red carpet.” “I’m ready, but I won’t give them a red carpet. I won’t offer them the leash to tie me and rope me. No, we wrestle each other to the finishing point,” the President said. He also described the Independent National Electoral Commission as neutral and said political opponents should not fear the system if they are confident in their own strength. The […]
FIFA issues deadline to members over plan to sell $4 bn stake
FIFA has given member associations until September 19 to support a plan that would sell a stake in its major competitions, with each member reportedly set to receive $40 million if the proposal goes through.supersport+1 According to reports, FIFA wants to create a new company to run its biggest events, including the World Cup and Club World Cup, and then sell up to 20 or 21 percent of the business to private investors. The move could generate about $4.2 billion, while a broader funding package tied to the project could rise to $10 billion.reuters+4 FIFA president Gianni Infantino has reportedly told member associations that they must decide by September 19 if they want to benefit from the payout. If approved, the plan would represent one of FIFA’s biggest commercial shifts in recent years and could reshape how the body funds […]
Mayorkun reunites with Davido on new song B4 B4
Nigerian singer Mayorkun has teamed up again with Afrobeats star Davido on a new track titled “B4 B4,” ahead of its release on July 31.bellanaija+1 :Mayorkun announced the collaboration on his Instagram page, sharing a promotional photo of himself and Davido with the caption, “New Music! This Friday! ‘B4 B4’ #Oriade.” The song also features Fola and appears on Davido’s 13-track album Oriadé, which is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026. The reunion has generated excitement among fans because it marks another major link-up between the two artistes after previous collaborations that helped shape their careers in the Nigerian music scene. Davido’s tracklist also includes features from Black Sherif, Aya Nakamura, Leon Thomas, Llona, NO11, Jazzwrld and GL_Ceejay
BBNaija: ‘Step up your game’ — Sheba mocks Tram’s toasting skills
Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemate, Sheba, has told fellow housemate and admirer, Tram, to improve his toasting skills after he admitted he’d been trying to flirt with her since they entered the house During a late‑night conversation, Sheba showed Tram photos of her son, prompting him to ask if she had a child. On learning she is a single mother, Tram jokingly said, “I have been toasting someone’s mother?”dailypost+1 Sheba responded by teasing him about his weak flirting game, saying: “If that thing you’re doing is toasting, you need to step up your game.” She added that his moves had been so subtle, she didn’t even realise he had been trying to woo her since the show began.dailypost+1 The light‑hearted exchange has already started trending among fans, who see it as one of the early highlights of the “Show […]
Xenophobia: Federal Govt demands justice from S’Africa
The Federal Government has asked South Africa to bring to justice those responsible for recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals, warning that patience is wearing thin over repeated killings and weak accountability.reuters+2 In recent statements and diplomatic engagements, Abuja has pressed Pretoria to identify, arrest and prosecute individuals behind mob and hate‑related violence targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians. Nigerian officials say at least 98 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since 2022, describing the pattern of attacks as unacceptable for two countries that share deep historical ties.reuters+2 The government has formally demanded “thorough and impartial investigations” into specific cases, including the deaths of two Nigerians earlier this year, and requested full disclosure of findings to ensure justice for victims and their families. It has also called for access to autopsy reports, case files and other legal […]
Related
INEC dismisses reports of revised 2027 campaign timetable
The Independent National Electoral Commission has dismissed reports circulating online that it has revised the campaign timetable for the 2027 general elections, describing the viral graphic as fake. INEC said the document making the rounds on social media did not originate from the commission and should be disregarded by the public. The commission explained that it does not issue campaign timetables separately, as all official campaign dates are already included in the revised timetable and schedule of activities released on February 26, 2026. According to the existing schedule, campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections are due to begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will start on September 9, 2026. The timetable also sets January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and February 6, 2027, for governorship and state assembly polls. […]
2027: I won’t let you tie me down, we’ll wrestle to finish — Tinubu warns opposition
President Bola Tinubu has warned opposition figures that he will not allow them to “tie” him down politically ahead of the 2027 general election, saying the contest will be fought to the finish. Tinubu made the statement on Tuesday during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at the State House in Abuja. He said he had asked for the job and was prepared for the political battle, but would not offer opponents “a red carpet.” “I’m ready, but I won’t give them a red carpet. I won’t offer them the leash to tie me and rope me. No, we wrestle each other to the finishing point,” the President said. He also described the Independent National Electoral Commission as neutral and said political opponents should not fear the system if they are confident in their own strength. The […]
Xenophobia: Federal Govt demands justice from S’Africa
The Federal Government has asked South Africa to bring to justice those responsible for recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals, warning that patience is wearing thin over repeated killings and weak accountability.reuters+2 In recent statements and diplomatic engagements, Abuja has pressed Pretoria to identify, arrest and prosecute individuals behind mob and hate‑related violence targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians. Nigerian officials say at least 98 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since 2022, describing the pattern of attacks as unacceptable for two countries that share deep historical ties.reuters+2 The government has formally demanded “thorough and impartial investigations” into specific cases, including the deaths of two Nigerians earlier this year, and requested full disclosure of findings to ensure justice for victims and their families. It has also called for access to autopsy reports, case files and other legal […]
Dangote’s heirs back plan to donate one-third of wealth to charity
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, plans to leave roughly one-third of his wealth to charitable causes, with his family publicly backing the arrangement, his daughter Halima Dangote has said. Halima Dangote, a trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, said the plan was important to her father and had already been discussed with the family. She disclosed that Dangote asked his three daughters and his mother to sign the will so that 33% of his wealth could be committed to “humanity Reports estimate the amount involved at more than $11 billion to $12 billion, based on Dangote’s current net worth of about $35 billion to $36.5 billion. The plan is said to align with Islamic inheritance principles and reflect Dangote’s long-standing belief that giving back is part of business success.africa. The donation would further strengthen the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which already […]
Xenophobia: Minister meets S’African envoy after Tinubu snub
Tinubu had been expected to hold talks with the special envoy sent by President Cyril Ramaphosa, but Presidency sources said he directed the team to meet Enikanolaiye instead, in what has been widely interpreted as a diplomatic snub. The President’s stance follows fresh outbreaks of violence in South Africa, where Nigerians and other African nationals have been targeted in what Abuja describes as “Afrophobic attacks”.naijanews+4 During Monday’s meeting in Abuja, Enikanolaiye delivered a strong message on behalf of the Nigerian government, demanding urgent and concrete action from Pretoria to stop recurring assaults on its citizens. He told Lamola that official records show at least 98 Nigerians have been killed in mob and hate-related incidents in South Africa since 2022, and accused local authorities of failing to adequately prosecute perpetrators or dismantle networks behind the violence.nairametrics+1 The minister also raised concerns […]
How PFIPC was created — Accountant‑General
Appearing before the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee probing the PFIPC scandal, Ogunjimi said his office first came in contact with the council in November 2024, when it received a correspondence that appeared to originate from the State House. The letter, dated November 7, 2024 and bearing a State House reference, requested the creation of an administrative code for the PFIPC to enable budgeting, accounting and financial reporting. He explained that, following standard government procedures, the Office of the Accountant‑General processed the request and approved the creation of the administrative code, believing the document to be genuine because it was written on State House letterhead. The approval was then communicated back to the State House and copied to the Office of the Auditor‑General and the Budget Office of the Federation. Ogunjimi told lawmakers that subsequent investigations later showed the […]