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Tag: responsible alcohol consumption

  • FRSC & BSG Renew Pact To Tackle Drink-Driving

    FRSC & BSG Renew Pact To Tackle Drink-Driving

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has renewed a strategic partnership with major brewing companies in Nigeria to intensify efforts against drunk-driving and improve road safety nationwide.

    The renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed with members of the Beer Sectoral Group (BSG), extends the collaboration for another five years, with both sides pledging to deepen public awareness, enforcement and community engagement.

    FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, said the partnership underscores the importance of synergy between government and the private sector in addressing road crashes, particularly those linked to alcohol consumption.

    He stressed that saving lives on Nigerian roads requires sustained collaboration, adding that the corps would continue to work with industry players to promote responsible behaviour among motorists.

    Speaking on behalf of the BSG, Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc and Chairman BSG, Thibaut Boidin, said the renewal reflects the industry’s commitment to sustained collaboration with regulators. He cited previous joint campaigns, including the Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign, as impactful, adding that the next phase would focus on expanding reach and strengthening implementation.

    Also speaking, the Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria, Girish Sharma, said the industry remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote safer roads. He noted that while alcoholic beverages are often blamed for road crashes, the real issue lies in irresponsible consumption, particularly drinking and driving.

    “We are here to work with you and ensure that this programme grows bigger and delivers real impact. Saving lives is what matters most,” he said.

    Similarly, Chief Executive Officer of International Breweries Plc, Nicholas Kade, commended the FRSC for its dedication, describing the corps’ efforts as critical to making communities safer. He said the brewing industry would continue to support initiatives that promote responsible drinking and road safety.

    The Executive Director of the Beer Sectoral Group, Abiola Laseinde, described the renewal as a milestone in public-private collaboration.

    She said the partnership had driven nationwide campaigns against drunk driving, influenced behaviour, and reached millions of Nigerians with road safety messages.

    Laseinde added that both parties would scale up interventions in the next five years to further reduce crashes and promote responsible alcohol consumption.

    The FRSC and BSG’s partnership has been central to national campaigns to discourage drunk driving, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the renewed agreement will deliver stronger outcomes.

  • Nigerian Breweries reaffirms its drive toward achieving net-zero emissions in production by 2030

    Nigerian Breweries reaffirms its drive toward achieving net-zero emissions in production by 2030

    Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nigeria’s foremost brewing company, continues to progress its ambition to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in production by 2030 across its operations nationwide. The Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Uzodinma Odenigbo, stated this during a media parley/engagement session on Friday, October 10, 2025.

    Speaking during the parley, Odenigbo explained that the company has made significant investments in renewable energy solutions such as biomass, solar and energy-efficiency projects across its breweries to reduce carbon emissions across its breweries, and have signed power purchase agreements to this effect.

    He explained that over the last few years, the company had signed many power purchase agreements with different renewable energy firms to reduce its dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

    He disclosed that the company has spent over N2.5 billion supporting its carbon reduction ambition across its operations as part of the Brew a Better World sustainability strategy.

    In addition, he noted that the company has committed considerable resources by contributing to water-replenishment projects in water-stressed areas, including support for the Olokomeji reforestation initiative, where over 300,000 trees have been planted in Ogun State, Nigeria, through external partnerships to support local watershed restoration.

    “As a company, we are advancing sustainability outcomes through our Brew a Better World initiatives. Over the past few years, we have made notable investments in renewable energy as part of our transition toward net-zero operations that many people are unaware of. We are also signing power purchase agreements to further reduce our national carbon footprint and progress toward our long-term net-zero ambition,” he said.

    He stated that the company will continue to empower its host communities by investing in capacity building for its people and expanding its operations to create employment opportunities. He disclosed that the company recently invested over N200 million in skill acquisition and constructed a cassava milling plant in Kaduna and Awo-Omamma respectively.

    He noted that the company, in collaboration with other members of the Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) and in partnership with the FRSC continues to implement its annual advocacy campaign promoting responsible alcohol consumption among commercial drivers, with potential to reach up to a thousand drivers by December 2025.

    Reiterating the company’s commitment to promoting environmental sustainability and responsible production practices across its value chain, the Corporate Affairs Director emphasised the significance of the company’s long-standing investment in reusable glass packaging, which supports packaging circularity and aligns with global sustainability practices.

  • MAN Urges Reversal of Ban on Spirit Drinks in Small Packaging

    MAN Urges Reversal of Ban on Spirit Drinks in Small Packaging

    The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) expresses deep concern over the recent ban imposed on spirit drinks in sachets and PET bottles less than 200ml. The ban, which was proposed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has raised significant apprehension within the industry and amongst critical stakeholders.

    Going back to the inception of this proposal, key members of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) raised substantial concerns in a letter dated 6th November 2018. These concerns were echoed by stakeholders and highlighted as follows:

    a) The assertion that the segmentation or packaging of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles is responsible for the reported increase in alcohol use among underage individuals is unfounded. Rather, it reflects a systemic issue of wider ramifications. b) Attributing the alleged increase in the use of hard drugs to the production and sales of alcoholic drinks in sachets and small PET bottles lacks scientific or empirical evidence. c) Packaging and sales of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles have not been shown to be the reason for irresponsible use in terms of quantity, intoxication, and other related issues. d) The ban is likely to lead to a surge in black market activities, bootlegging, and the proliferation of fake and adulterated products, posing significant risks to public health and safety. e) Additionally, the ban could have adverse effects on local manufacturing, negatively impacting the economy and the social wellbeing of the Nigerian people.

    Despite initial objections, DIBAN participated in the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on the 18th of December 2018, involving key stakeholders such as the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC, now FCCPC). Subsequently, DIBAN actively supported the implementation of the MOU, investing over one billion naira (N1,000,000,000) in advocacy campaigns aimed at promoting responsible alcohol consumption and eliminating underage drinking.

    In 2021, a Technical Sub-Committee was established to address gaps identified in the MOU’s implementation and propose evidence-based strategies to tackle alcohol use among underage individuals. The Sub-Committee’s recommendations included enhancing regulatory activities, improving collaboration among government agencies, and conducting further research to inform policy decisions.

    All Committee and Sub-Committee members unanimously agreed on the need for collaborative efforts to eliminate underage drinking, enhance regulations, and support the growth of local industries. However, recent developments, including the proposed ban by NAFDAC, pose significant challenges to these objectives.

    MAN, therefore, calls upon the government to reverse the ban on spirit drinks in sachets and PET bottles less than 200ml. Instead, MAN advocates for access control measures, tighter regulations, and collaborative efforts among stakeholders to address the issue of underage drinking effectively.