The Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (FOBTOB) has called on the Nigerian Government to strengthen support for Nigeria’s food and beverage industry to enhance productivity, safeguard jobs and promote sustainable growth.
The association expressed concern over the operational challenges facing businesses in the sector and emphasised the need for collaborative efforts to address them.
The National President of FOBTOB, Mr Jimoh Oyibo, made the call while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Oyibo noted that the industry was navigating a number of challenges, including dependence on imported raw materials and the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations on production costs.
According to him, many companies in the food and beverage sector rely on imported inputs, making them susceptible to changes in exchange rates and increasing operational expenses.
“Most of our companies depend on imported raw materials, and the exchange rate situation is creating pressure across the sector. We are hopeful that ongoing efforts to strengthen local production and economic stability will yield positive results,” he said.
Oyibo, who is also the Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, said recent regulatory measures affecting sachet packaging and products below 200 millilitres had presented adjustment challenges for some businesses.
He explained that the union was engaging relevant stakeholders to explore practical solutions that would support both business sustainability and workers’ welfare.
“We are engaging government and other stakeholders to ensure that the interests of workers and businesses are protected while promoting long-term growth within the industry,” he said.
The labour leader noted that smaller package sizes remain important to many consumers because they provide affordable purchasing options and contribute significantly to business revenues.
“Many consumers prefer smaller pack sizes because they are more affordable. These products also contribute substantially to the growth of companies and the livelihoods of workers within the sector,” he said.
Oyibo further identified infrastructure development, reliable energy supply and improved consumer purchasing capacity as critical areas requiring continued attention to strengthen the operating environment for businesses.
He stressed that sustained investment in these areas would support industrial growth, boost productivity and create more employment opportunities.
On workers’ welfare, Oyibo acknowledged the significance of the new national minimum wage and emphasised the importance of continued dialogue between employers, workers and government to ensure that remuneration reflects economic realities and organisational capacity.
“There is a need for ongoing engagement to improve workers’ welfare while ensuring that businesses remain competitive and sustainable,” he said.
He stated that FOBTOB would continue to encourage employers to improve the welfare and earnings of workers wherever possible.
Speaking on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace, Oyibo urged workers to embrace continuous learning, innovation and skills development to remain competitive in an evolving global economy.
“One thing workers can do is continually upgrade their skills. As technology advances, workers must adapt and position themselves to take advantage of emerging opportunities,” he said.
According to him, such initiatives help workers prepare for technological advancements, strengthen career prospects and build sustainable livelihoods.
He added that the union regularly organises zonal meetings and training programmes to educate members on career development, retirement planning and strategies for adapting to future workplace trends.
