“Not Punitive but Protective”: NAFDAC Defends Enforcement of Sachet Alcohol Ban
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reiterated that its renewed enforcement of the ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and containers below 200 millilitres is driven by public health considerations and not intended to penalise alcohol manufacturers.
The clarification follows growing public debate and concern from industry groups over the impact of the policy, which restricts the production and sale of alcohol in sachets as well as small plastic (PET) and glass bottles below the approved volume. NAFDAC has stressed that the enforcement does not amount to the shutdown of alcohol-producing companies, but applies strictly to the prohibited packaging formats.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, said the agency’s action aligns with its statutory mandate and a resolution of the Nigerian Senate aimed at curbing alcohol abuse, particularly among minors and young adults.
“NAFDAC has resumed enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small-volume PET or glass bottles below 200ml,” Adeyeye said.
According to her, the policy was introduced in response to mounting evidence that the availability of alcohol in small, cheap, and easily concealable packaging has contributed significantly to underage drinking and harmful alcohol consumption patterns across the country.
Adeyeye explained that sachet alcohol, because of its low cost and discreet packaging, has made it easier for minors to access alcohol without detection by parents or guardians. She noted that existing warning labels, including inscriptions stating that products are “not for children,” have proven largely ineffective in preventing misuse.
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“Many parents do not even know their children consume sachet alcohol because the pack size is small, cheap and easily concealed,” she said.
The NAFDAC chief cited reports from schools and communities highlighting the growing extent of alcohol exposure among young people. In one instance referenced, a pupil reportedly claimed he could not sit for an examination without first consuming sachet alcohol—an anecdote the agency says illustrates the seriousness of the problem.
NAFDAC further disclosed that the current enforcement follows an agreement reached with alcohol manufacturers and stakeholders in 2018, which provided for a phased withdrawal of sachet alcohol and other small-pack alcoholic products. Under that agreement, producers were initially expected to comply by January 2024.
Adeyeye said the deadline was later extended to December 2025 to give manufacturers additional time to adjust their production lines, reformulate packaging strategies, and mitigate potential economic disruptions. However, she emphasised that the agency would not grant any further extensions beyond the agreed timeline.
“This ban is not punitive; it is protective. The health of a nation is its true wealth,” she stated.
While acknowledging concerns raised by industry associations and labour unions regarding potential job losses and economic impact, NAFDAC maintained that public health considerations must take precedence. The agency noted that alcohol-related harm—particularly among youths—poses long-term social and economic costs that outweigh short-term commercial interests.
NAFDAC also urged manufacturers and distributors to comply fully with the regulation, adding that enforcement would be carried out nationwide. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition, while remaining firm on its objective of reducing alcohol-related harm.
Public reactions to the enforcement have been mixed, with some Nigerians welcoming the move as a necessary step to protect children, while others argue that better regulation, rather than outright restriction, would be more effective in addressing issues such as counterfeit alcohol and abuse.
Despite the debate, NAFDAC insists that the renewed enforcement represents a decisive step toward safeguarding public health and curbing the widespread availability of alcohol products that place vulnerable groups at risk.