How Institutional, Online Misinformation Caused Panic Buying, Hike in Sachet Water Price in Lagos Communities

By: Quadri Yahya 

On the night of November 27, a regular customer approached Musa’s kiosk to purchase two bags of sachet water. Still wondering why the customer, who often buys half a bag of sachet water, suddenly bought two, more customers approached Musa’s kiosk and within a twinkle of an eye, he sold out the dozens of water in his shop — each at N400.

He later learnt there has been a hike in price. According to multiple accounts from buyers in Eti-Osa communities and others in some parts of Lagos State, a bag of water sold between N500 and N1,000 within the week buyers saw a trending video on social media. A customer reported buying a cold bag of sachet water at N1,200.

Musa’s kiosk 

Findings revealed that a viral video posted on X, Facebook and Tiktok showing some “officials” destroying bags of sachet water in  factories and trucks in some areas of Lagos State stirred panic buying and consequently the hike.

Viral videos of “officials” bursting bags of sachet water trending on Tiktok with claim Lagos banned sachet water

FactCheckAfrica learnt that some residents of Lagos who went to party outside the state bought bags of “pure” water at N300 at Ibadan because of the hike and scarcity in their communities. 

In Nigeria, sachet water is  often called “pure water”.

Govt Miscommunication

Earlier in October, the state government had announced a ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam, which is set to take effect from January 2025. 

The announcement was reported as including sachet water and PET bottles, but the government later debunked it. 

Interviews with residents of Alpha Beach community revealed that the government’s disclosure that no ban on sachet water did not reach many, as they attributed the spike in price to the ban.

“Why the government banned “pure” water is what I don’t understand”, one woman known as Mummy Solomon said.

A truck selling pure water at N400 per bag (as of Dec. 2)

A group of men discussing the issue at Musa’s shop claimed that the government wants people to only patronise bottled water because the sachet nylon is polluting the environment. 

Further check showed that an “online influencer” shared on X that the Lagos government has decided to ban sachet water.

Lagos State government official vs. NAFDAC 

NAFDAC debunked the claim by Lagos State

Compounding the issue are statements released by the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control. 

On Dec. 1, Hon. Wahab posted on his verified X handle that the “some individuals bursting sachet water packs at factories and on buses” in the viral video “are not enforcement officers from any Lagos State Government agency or the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources”.

He added: “Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the individuals in question are enforcement officers from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Their actions are part of an enforcement exercise targeting sachet water that does not comply with NAFDAC regulations, and in the interest of public health and safety.”

The Commissioner reiterated that “Lagos State has not banned sachet water and does not have plans to do so”, adding that the government’s “focus remains on effective plastic waste management.” 

“Members of the public should disregard any misinformation suggesting a ban on sachet water in Lagos State. The Ministry is fully committed to fostering dialogue and working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure sustainable waste management while supporting the economic interests of Lagosians”, he tweeted.

Few hours after the tweet from the Lagos State government official Hon. Wahab, NAFDAC debunked the claim that its officials are responsible for destroying bags of pure water in factories and buses.

“The videos circulating of individuals engaging in enforcement activities are NOT NAFDAC officials or part of our Investigation & Enforcement team.

“Furthermore, stopping vehicles to destroy products is unprofessional and does not align with any NAFDAC Standard Operating Procedure”, the agency tweeted.

The tweets have garnered more than 1 million views and at least 7,000 engagements on X. Despite the disclaimer by NAFDAC, Commissioner Wahab tweet is still on his page.

Another woman in Alpha Beach said, “If they sell three bags of pure water for N1,000, I will buy it. That is how I can buy three bags to be shared with my neighbour.” 

As of Dec. 2, pure water still sold for N400 in some parts of Igbo-Efon, Alpha Beach and Ajah areas of the state.