The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has warned that the renewed enforcement of the ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small bottles could threaten over five million direct and indirect jobs and put about ₦800 billion in investments at risk.

President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, raised the alarm in a press statement issued by the Chamber’s Media and Strategy Officer, Olayemi John-Mensah.

He described the action by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as economically disruptive and potentially damaging to investor confidence at a time Nigeria requires regulatory stability to support growth and job creation.

While affirming ACCI’s support for public health objectives, including the protection of minors and the promotion of responsible alcohol consumption, Obegolu expressed concern over what he described as the abrupt manner of enforcement.

According to him, the renewed action contradicts existing government directives and legislative resolutions, including the December 15, 2025 directive by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), which suspended the ban, as well as the March 14, 2024 resolution of the House of Representatives calling for restraint and broader stakeholder consultations.

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“The sudden enforcement raises serious concerns about regulatory inconsistency and policy reversals, which can undermine investor confidence,” Obegolu said.

He recalled that in December 2018, NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) entered into a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with manufacturers to gradually phase out sachet and small-volume alcoholic beverages by January 31, 2024.

He noted that the moratorium was later extended to December 2025 following sustained engagement with industry stakeholders.

“Despite these agreed transition timelines, the renewed enforcement is already disrupting legitimate businesses across manufacturing, packaging, distribution and retail value chains, exposing millions of Nigerians to potential job losses,” he stated.

Obegolu cautioned that an outright ban without adequate transition measures could encourage the proliferation of illicit and unregulated alcohol products, thereby undermining public health objectives and reducing government revenue.

He stressed that effective regulation should prioritise control, compliance and enforcement rather than outright prohibition.

The ACCI president called for a further extension of the implementation deadline to December 2026 to allow manufacturers to complete transition processes, restructure operations and exhaust existing inventories without inflicting avoidable economic shocks.

He also advocated the establishment of a multi-stakeholder implementation committee comprising relevant regulatory agencies, policymakers, organised private sector groups and industry operators to ensure coordinated, transparent and practical execution of the policy.

According to him, such an inclusive framework would balance public health protection with economic sustainability, safeguard investments, preserve jobs and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory environment.

Obegolu reaffirmed ACCI’s readiness to collaborate with NAFDAC, relevant ministries, the National Assembly and other stakeholders to achieve responsible regulation that protects consumers while sustaining enterprise growth and employment.