The Director‑General of the Spirits and Wines Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Tony Okwoju, has called on journalists to play a stronger role in fighting the illicit alcohol trade by exposing fake products and raising public awareness. Speaking at the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria’s (BJAN) monthly breakfast roundtable in Lagos on 27 March 2026, he urged the media to support the industry through responsible reporting that highlights the health and economic dangers of counterfeit spirits.
Okwoju cited a Deloitte report estimating that Nigeria loses about ₦472 billion yearly to the illicit‑alcohol trade, equivalent to roughly 40 percent of the total market. He warned that many counterfeiters are now using methanol—a toxic industrial alcohol—to cut costs, posing severe risks such as blindness, organ failure, and even death. “These counterfeiters are not just faking brands, they are killing people,” he said.
To curb the problem, SWAN has adopted measures such as intensively collecting and recycling used bottles from bars and nightclubs so they cannot be refilled with fake liquor. Okwoju also announced a one‑day stakeholders’ workshop on 22 April 2026, aimed at bringing together regulators, enforcement agencies, and industry players to develop a coordinated response to the surge in fake alcohol.
BJAN Chairman Daniel Obi welcomed the partnership, describing the meeting as a step toward greater collaboration between the media and the beverage industry. He said responsible reporting can improve public perception, boost industry standards, and support national development by amplifying accurate, safety‑oriented narratives around alcohol consumption.