Workers for food and beverage sector don come out again go street protest the way dem dey enforce ban on sachet alcohol and PET bottles wey no reach 200ml, and dem dey beg Federal Government make dem quickly intervene so millions of jobs no go loss.
For the fifth time for 2026, distillers under di umbrella of Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) march go di Lagos office of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for Oshodi–Apapa Expressway.
The protesters say make dem immediately stop wetin dem call wicked enforcement of the ban.
Junior and senior workers gather plenty for front of the agency, dey sing solidarity songs and carry placards wey dem write things like: “Tinubu no want make jobs lost,” “Stop to destroy local manufacturers,” “NAFDAC release products wey dem hold,” and “5.5 million jobs dey at risk.”
The protest dey come after NAFDAC continue to dey seal factories wey dem accuse say dem no observe the ban.
Labour leaders talk say this thing don paralyse work for the industry and don push thousands of families enter serious economic wahala.
Di National President of FOBTOB, Jimoh Oyibo, warn say if dem shut down licensed and regulated manufacturers, e fit cause serious danger.
“Once una stop licensed manufacturers from producing approved products, una go create space for unregulated and dangerous alternatives,” Oyibo talk.
“This matter no be only about jobs; na also about public safety, government revenue, and survival of lawful businesses.”
Di Secretary of National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees, Comrade Jeffery Igein, wey also talk to protesters, say the enforcement no follow the spirit of the national alcohol policy wey dem don already sign.
“Dem don already sign the alcohol policy. So, NAFDAC suppose don lift restriction for these factories,” Igein talk.
“Dis action dey threaten manufacturers and workers. Economy don already hard. Policies suppose support di President agenda to protect jobs and grow economy, no be to spoil am.”
Labour leaders talk say dem no dey against regulation, but dem dey ask for dialogue, clear explanation, and policies wey go balance public health concerns with economic reality.
Dem still talk say similar protests dey happen for Abuja and Aba, show say people for the industry across the country no happy.
While some protesters claim say Federal Government don direct make dem pause the enforcement, NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, insist say dem never receive any official message like that.
As confusion still dey, workers talk say dem no go stop to beg Federal Government, and dem warn say if factories remain closed for long, unemployment go worse and economic hardship go deep well well for the country.
