Sachet Alcohol Ban: Again, NLC, TUC Barricade NAFDAC Lagos Headquarters

The industrial face-off between organised labour and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) escalated on Thursday as workers intensified their protest at the agency’s Lagos office in Isolo.

For the seventh consecutive day, members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) picketed the premises, temporarily halting activities.

The protesters arrived early in the morning, chanting solidarity songs and blocking the main entrance to the complex. Their action prevented staff from gaining access to the facility for several hours.

Security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force’s Odi-Olowo Division were later deployed to the scene to maintain order. By late morning, normal operations resumed without any reported violence.

Unions Insist on Reversal

Union leaders declared they would not suspend the protest until their demands are met. They are calling for the reopening of factories and warehouses sealed following NAFDAC’s enforcement of a ban on sachet alcohol and 10cl PET bottled alcoholic products.

According to the labour groups, the enforcement has led to widespread factory closures, job losses, and economic hardship for workers and their families.

Jeffery Igein, National Secretary of FOBTOB Employees, said the protest would continue until authorities address their grievances.

“This is the seventh day of our action, and we remain resolute. We will not back down until our concerns are properly handled,” he stated.

Concerns Over Economic Impact

In a statement issued during the protest, Comrade Anthony Oyaga, Secretary of the TUC, criticised the enforcement strategy, arguing that it has negatively affected indigenous manufacturers nationwide.

The unions alleged that entire facilities are being sealed, including sections unrelated to the banned products. They described the approach as excessive and harmful to local businesses.

Labour leaders warned that the closures are already affecting thousands of workers, as well as transporters, distributors, suppliers, retailers, and others within the value chain.

They argued that instead of blanket shutdowns, authorities should adopt targeted regulatory measures that safeguard public health without crippling businesses.

Call for Dialogue

The protesting workers appealed to President Bola Tinubu, members of the National Assembly, state governors, traditional and religious leaders, and civil society groups to intervene.

They insisted that dialogue and structured regulation would be more effective than what they termed “economic strangulation.”

As tensions persist, the unions maintain that their action will continue until sealed facilities are reopened and discussions are initiated to address the fallout from the ban.

For now, the standoff shows no signs of immediate resolution, with both sides standing firm on their positions.