The Spirits and Wines Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has rallied regulatory agencies, law enforcement bodies, manufacturers, and other stakeholders to intensify efforts against illicit trade in the wines and spirits sector. At a high-level workshop in Abuja, participants warned that the growing circulation of counterfeit and smuggled alcoholic products poses serious risks to public health, government revenue, and legitimate businesses. The engagement ended with calls for stronger enforcement, improved border control, investigative journalism, and sustained collaboration among stakeholders. Victoria Ojiako reports
Across Nigeria, wines and spirits are familiar features of everyday social life, present at weddings, birthdays, naming ceremonies, business engagements, and weekend gatherings, and they play a vital role in moments of connection, celebration, and shared experiences.
This important role that spirits and wines play in everyday social life is, however, threatened by increasing illicit trade in the sector.
This explains the rationale behind the move by the Spirits and Wines Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to sanitise the industry, because illicit trade in the spirits and wines industry is associated with economic crimes such as tax evasion, smuggling, counterfeit packaging, market distortions, and revenue losses.
