The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has resumed enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small plastic or glass bottles below 200 milliliters.
The agency clarified that no alcohol manufacturing company was shut down, stressing that the action only affects sachet alcohol and other small-pack spirit drinks due to public health concerns.
In a statement issued on Thursday, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, said the renewed enforcement followed a resolution of the Senate and aligns with the agency’s public health mandate.
She said, “NAFDAC has resumed enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small-volume PET or glass bottles below 200ml, in line with the resolution of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Adeyeye explained that the widespread availability of high-alcohol-content drinks in sachets has made alcohol cheap, easily accessible and easily concealed, particularly among young people.
According to her, “The availability of alcohol in small, cheap and easily concealed packs has contributed significantly to underage drinking, addiction, domestic violence, road traffic accidents, school dropouts and other social vices.”\
ALSO READ: ‘Pelebe’: Why sachet alcohol was banned — NAFDAC
She noted that warning labels such as “Not for children” on sachet alcohol had failed to address the problem, pointing out that many parents remain unaware that their children consume alcohol.
“Many parents do not even know their children take sachet alcohol because the pack size is small, affordable and easy to hide,” Adeyeye said.
She further disclosed that reports from schools had revealed disturbing trends, including an incident where a student reportedly claimed he could not sit for an examination without first taking sachet alcohol.
NAFDAC recalled that in December 2018, it signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to phase out sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging by January 31, 2024. The deadline was later extended to December 2025.
Adeyeye said the Senate’s directive was consistent with the agreement and Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Assembly’s Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol.
She stressed that the sachet alcohol ban was not punitive but preventive, saying, “This decision is rooted in scientific evidence and public health considerations.
“The health of Nigerians, especially our children and youth, must take priority.”
She added that only spirit drinks packaged below 200 millilitres were affected, noting that alcoholic beverages in larger pack sizes remain approved by the agency.
The renewed enforcement has, however, drawn criticism from manufacturers and labour unions, who warned that the policy could lead to job losses.
Earlier this month, industry stakeholders and organised labour protested at NAFDAC’s Lagos office, claiming millions of jobs could be affected.
Despite the opposition, NAFDAC urged manufacturers, distributors and retailers to comply fully with the directive.
“There will be no further extension beyond December 2025,” Adeyeye said, adding that the agency would continue nationwide sensitisation on the dangers of alcohol misuse.