By Crystal Ugoeze
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed its determination to fully enforce the ban on the production and sale of alcohol packaged in sachets and small bottles (below 200ml) by December 2025.
The agency’s stance follows the recent directive of the Senate and is backed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. According to NAFDAC, the measure is intended to curb rising cases of alcohol abuse, especially among young people, and mitigate the associated social and public health consequences.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, explained in a statement issued on Tuesday that the proliferation of cheap, high-alcohol-content drinks in sachets and pocket-sized bottles has contributed significantly to addiction, domestic violence, road accidents, and school dropout rates. She described the decision to phase out the products as both evidence-based and necessary for protecting the nation’s youth.
“This ban is not punitive; it is protective. It is aimed at safeguarding the health and future of our children and youth,” Adeyeye stated. “We cannot continue to sacrifice the wellbeing of Nigerians for short-term economic gain. The health of a nation is its true wealth.”
NAFDAC noted that the move to eliminate the products began in 2018 with the signing of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding among the Federal Government, regulatory agencies, and industry groups, including the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN). The initial phase-out target of January 2024 was later extended to December 2025 to allow manufacturers time to reformulate and adjust production systems.
The agency emphasized that the regulation applies only to spirit drinks packaged in sachets and bottles below 200ml. It urged all manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to take the deadline seriously, warning that no further extension will be granted.
NAFDAC added that it will continue collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to intensify nationwide public education on the risks associated with alcohol misuse.