The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced that the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small bottles below 200ml will be completely banned by December 2025.
The agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja, noting that the decision was in line with a recent Senate directive and backed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
According to her, the proliferation of high-alcohol-content drinks in sachets and small containers has made such beverages easily accessible, affordable, and concealable, especially among minors and commercial drivers.
“This public health menace has been linked to increased cases of domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and social vices across communities,” Adeyeye said.
She explained that the directive followed concerns raised by the Senate over the growing misuse of cheap alcohol packaged in sachets, which poses health and social risks.
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Adeyeye recalled that NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) had in 2018 signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) to phase out sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging by January 2024.
She said the deadline was later extended to December 2025 to allow industry operators exhaust old stock and reconfigure their production lines.
“This ban is not punitive; it is protective. It is aimed at safeguarding the health and future of our children and youth.
“The decision is rooted in scientific evidence and public health considerations. We cannot continue to sacrifice the well-being of Nigerians for short-term economic gain. The health of a nation is its true wealth,” she stated.
The NAFDAC boss further clarified that the ban targets spirit drinks packaged in sachets and small-volume PET or glass bottles below 200ml, urging manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to comply fully, as no further extension would be granted beyond December 2025.
She added that enforcement will commence in January 2026, with NAFDAC collaborating with security agencies and other partners to ensure compliance.
Adeyeye reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting public health and ensuring that only safe and properly regulated products are made available to Nigerians.