The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has explained why sachet alcohol was banned in Nigeria, citing serious public health concerns, particularly for children.
In a video shared on its X handle on Tuesday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, addressed the media, detailing the reasons behind the ban.
She stressed that the measure was not aimed at adult consumption but was necessary to protect minors from early exposure to high-concentration alcohol.
“I’m not opposed to alcohol consumption by adults. Adults’ physiological makeup can handle alcohol. But children are not small adults. Their physiology is still developing, and early exposure to alcohol can cause lasting damage,” Adeyeye explained.
The NAFDAC chief highlighted the dangerously high concentration of alcohol in sachets. “Some sachets contain up to 43% alcohol. Drinking just two sachets can expose a child to a quantity ten times higher than regular beer, which is about 6–8% alcohol,” she said.
Adeyeye outlined the history and timeline of enforcement, noting that discussions with stakeholders had been ongoing for several years.
She revealed that while efforts to reduce alcohol concentration began in 2017, formal enforcement of the ban on alcoholic beverages sold in sachets and PET or glass bottles below 200ml officially started in February 2024.
After consultations and a moratorium extension, the ban was fully implemented in December 2025.
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The Director-General reiterated that the policy was based on global best practices.
“The World Health Assembly in 2010 urged all countries to make alcohol inaccessible to children. Over 183 countries, including Nigeria, agreed to this.
Children cannot handle alcohol the way adults can,” she said.
Despite concerns from civil society organisations and employees of companies producing sachet alcohol about potential economic impact, NAFDAC maintains that the ban is grounded in science and public health considerations.
Adeyeye explained that the enforcement of the ban is aimed at protecting children, while adults can still responsibly consume alcohol.
“Children cannot handle alcohol the way adults do. Adults can make their own choices, but children must be protected. That is why we are enforcing this ban,” she concluded.