The Federal Government has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to suspend all enforcement actions related to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic products.
It also instructed the agency to stop sealing factories and warehouses over the issue.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Terrence Kuanum.
Kuanum said the decision followed a joint intervention by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Office of the National Security Adviser. Both offices raised concerns about the security implications of enforcing the ban without a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy.
“Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the ongoing ban on sachet alcohol are to be suspended pending the final consultations and implementation of the National Alcohol Policy and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement read.
He explained that although the National Alcohol Policy had been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu, both offices insisted that NAFDAC must refrain from enforcement measures until the policy is fully implemented and further directives are issued.
These measures include factory shutdowns, warehouse sealing and public emphasis on the sachet alcohol ban.
ALSO READ: Global alcohol market drops $830bn as Gen Z drinking habits shift
According to the statement, the continued sealing of warehouses and what it described as a “de facto ban” on sachet alcohol products, without a harmonised policy framework, has already led to economic disruptions and raised security concerns. It noted the impact on jobs, supply chains and informal distribution networks across the country.
Kuanum said this position reaffirmed an earlier directive issued by the SGF’s office in December 2025, which suspended all actions relating to the proposed ban pending consultations and a final decision.
He added that the SGF’s office had received a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control dated November 13, 2025. The letter raised concerns about NAFDAC’s proposed enforcement actions and referred to existing resolutions of the National Assembly on the matter.
The letter, referenced NASS/10/HR/CT.53/77 and signed by the Deputy Chairman of the committee, Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo, again highlighted concerns over the proposed enforcement and drew attention to the National Assembly’s resolutions.
The Federal Government said it is reviewing legislative resolutions, public health considerations, economic implications and other national interest issues related to the matter.
It also noted that the involvement of the National Security Adviser shows the issue has extended beyond regulation. The government warned that enforcing the ban without coordinated policy implementation could affect communities, increase unemployment and create security challenges.
The government assured Nigerians and industry stakeholders that a final decision would be communicated after consultations and inter-agency coordination, in the interest of public health, economic stability and national security.