…Calls for deeper stakeholder engagement to safeguard jobs, investments

By Bimbola Oyesola

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has commended the Federal Government for directing the immediate suspension of all enforcement actions relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle products, pending the conclusion of consultations and the issuance of a final policy directive.

The Employers’s body described the decision as timely, pragmatic and reassuring for businesses and investors who had been gripped by uncertainty following reports of enforcement actions by regulatory agencies.

Reacting to the directive issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), the Director-General of NECA, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said the move demonstrates government’s responsiveness to legislative oversight and stakeholder concerns.

According to him, the intervention followed issues raised by the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, underscoring the importance of due process and alignment among arms of government in policy implementation.

Oyerinde noted that the suspension respects existing resolutions of the National Assembly and restores much-needed regulatory clarity to an industry that plays a critical role in Nigeria’s manufacturing and consumer goods value chain.

He particularly welcomed the OSGF’s clarification that any enforcement action taken by NAFDAC or any other agency without the requisite clearance is invalid and should be disregarded by the public.

“This clarification is crucial,” Oyerinde said. “It sends a strong signal that policies with far-reaching economic and social implications must follow established procedures and enjoy broad consensus before implementation.”

Speaking on the potential impact of the proposed ban, the NECA Director-General explained that the sachet and PET segment of the alcoholic beverage industry accounts for a substantial share of the estimated ₦800 billion invested in the sector.

He added that the segment supports thousands of direct and indirect jobs across manufacturing, packaging, distribution, logistics, wholesale and retail, many of which are held by young Nigerians and small-scale entrepreneurs.

“In an economy already grappling with high unemployment, inflationary pressures and rising costs of doing business, abrupt policy measures that threaten existing jobs and legitimate investments are not only counterproductive but economically risky,” Oyerinde warned.

While reaffirming NECA’s support for responsible regulation, he stressed that public health objectives must be pursued in a manner that is balanced, data-driven and sustainable.

“We fully acknowledge the need to address public health concerns, particularly the protection of children and young people,” he said. “However, policies must be evidence-based and carefully designed to avoid pushing activities into the informal and unregulated space or encouraging the proliferation of illicit and unsafe products.”

Mr. Oyerinde emphasized the need for deeper and more structured consultations among government, regulators, legislators, industry players and organised labour, noting that such engagement is essential to protecting jobs, livelihoods and investments while achieving public health goals in a responsible and enduring manner.