Alcohol industry corporate social responsibility activities in Nigeria: implications for policy

JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE; 2024, VOL. 29, NO. 5, 949–955 ; Emeka W. Dumbilia and Ogochukwu W. Odeigahb;

ABSTRACT
Objective: The article synthesized the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of multinational
alcohol companies (MACs) in Nigeria, highlighting their policy implications.
Methods: We searched alcohol companies’ websites for CSR activities that they have executed/executing
and also included media reportage of such activities.
Results: Alcohol companies’ CSR initiatives cover education, health, agriculture, Covid-19, employment,
and responsible drinking campaigns (RDCs). Most of the CSR projects are linked to legitimate international/local initiatives (e.g., positioned to support SDGs or government/community projects). The healthrelated CSR initiatives focus on government-owned University Teaching Hospitals, while others support community-owned and faith-based hospitals. The Agro-based CSR projects appear to be self-serving because they mainly support farmers who produce the raw materials for the industry’s use. The RDCs mainly target commercial vehicle drivers to create awareness about the consequences of drink-driving,but they neither mention nor encourage abstinence. The drink-driving campaigns are avenues MACs exploit to market their brands through branded T-Shirts, banners, and other paraphernalia. Alcohol
producers conduct the available evaluations of the CSR initiatives, portraying only public-serving motivations while concealing the company-serving purposes.

To cite this article: Emeka W. Dumbili & Ogochukwu W. Odeigah (2024) Alcohol industry
corporate social responsibility activities in Nigeria: implications for policy, Journal of Substance
Use, 29:5, 949-955, DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2023.2254385
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/14659891.2023.2254385