The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has resumed enforcing its ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets or small plastic and glass bottles under 200 millilitres.
In a statement released on Thursday, NAFDAC clarified that it had not shut down any alcohol-producing companies. Instead, it had only prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small containers due to concerns about public health.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, explained that the initiative was aimed at protecting vulnerable groups, particularly children, adolescents, and young adults, from the harmful effects of alcohol.
“The ban is in line with a resolution passed by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and is part of the Agency’s public health mandate,” the statement said.
The agency highlighted that the widespread availability of high-alcohol-content drinks in sachets and small containers has made alcohol inexpensive, easily accessible, and easily concealed. This has led to rising cases of underage drinking, addiction, domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other social issues.
Adeyeye also pointed out that placing warning labels, such as “Not for children,” on sachets and small containers had proven ineffective due to the reality that many parents were unaware their children were consuming such alcohol. “The packaging is small, cheap, and easy to conceal,” she said.
In addition, Adeyeye shared concerning reports from schools, including one where a student admitted he couldn’t sit for an exam without first consuming sachet alcohol.
NAFDAC reminded the public that in December 2018, it had signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and manufacturers, which aimed to phase out sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging by January 31, 2024. The deadline was extended to December 2025 to give manufacturers more time to adjust.
“This decision aligns with the earlier agreement and Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Assembly’s Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol,” Adeyeye stated.
The Director-General emphasised that the ban was not punitive but rather protective, aimed at safeguarding the health and future of Nigeria’s youth. “The decision is based on scientific evidence and public health considerations,” she said. “We cannot continue to prioritize economic gain over the health of our citizens. The health of the nation is its true wealth.”
She also reiterated that only alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and small containers below 200 ml were affected by the ban, and that larger pack sizes of alcoholic beverages remained approved.
The renewed enforcement has stirred reactions from various industries, labour, and public sectors. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and other stakeholders, including the Food and Beverage Tobacco Outgrowers and Bottlers (FOBTOB), criticized the policy, claiming it could harm the economy and workers.
On January 23, members of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Labour Congress, and the Trade Union Congress gathered at NAFDAC’s Lagos office to protest the ban, warning it could displace over 5.5 million workers.
Some protesters argued that the policy was a regulatory misstep, pointing out that low-cost sachet alcohol remains a popular choice among low-income consumers, and the ban could hurt the livelihoods of many Nigerians.
Despite the protests, NAFDAC called on manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to fully comply with the directive, stressing that no further extensions would be granted beyond December 2025.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and the National Orientation Agency to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol misuse across the country.
NAFDAC also reiterated its dedication to ensuring that only safe, regulated products are available to Nigerians.
