THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced a nationwide ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and bottles smaller than 200ml, with full enforcement set for December 2025.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja, noting that the decision aligns with a Senate resolution aimed at curbing the widespread availability of cheap, high-alcohol-content drinks that are easily accessible to minors and commercial drivers.
Adeyeye described the proliferation of such beverages as a serious public health threat, linking it to increased cases of addiction, domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other social problems.
“This ban is not punitive; it is protective. It seeks to safeguard the health and future of our children and youth,” she said.
The directive follows a phased ban initiated in 2018, when NAFDAC, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and key industry stakeholders, agreed to gradually eliminate sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging.
While the initial deadline was January 2024, it was extended to December 2025 to allow manufacturers to adjust their production lines.
According to Adeyeye, the new Senate resolution reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to global public health standards, including the World Health Organization’s strategy to reduce harmful alcohol consumption.
She emphasized that no further extensions will be granted and urged manufacturers and retailers to comply fully.
NAFDAC also announced plans to collaborate with security agencies and public institutions to ensure full enforcement beginning January 2026, alongside nationwide awareness campaigns on the risks associated with alcohol misuse.
Reiterating the agency’s position, Adeyeye said, “We cannot continue to sacrifice the well-being of Nigerians for short-term economic gain. The health of a nation is its true wealth.”