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 bottles smaller than 200 millilitres will be completely banned by December 2025.
NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, stating that the measure is aimed at curbing the growing misuse of cheap, high-alcohol-content drinks among youths and commercial drivers.
According to her, the easy accessibility and affordability of sachet alcohol have contributed to a rise in social and health problems, including domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other vices.
“The proliferation of high-alcohol-content beverages in sachets and small containers has made such products easily accessible, affordable, and concealable, leading to widespread misuse and addiction among minors and drivers,” Adeyeye said.
“This ban is not punitive; it is protective. It is aimed at safeguarding the health and future of our children and youth.”
The announcement follows a Senate directive last Thursday mandating NAFDAC to fully enforce the ban by December 2025, with no further extensions.
The Senate’s resolution, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), expressed frustration over repeated postponements of the policy. NAFDAC had initially planned to phase out sachet alcohol by 2023, later shifting the deadline to 2024 and then 2025.
Senator Ekpenyong cautioned that any further delay would undermine public confidence and Nigeria’s commitment to international health standards.
Adeyeye confirmed that NAFDAC had previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with industry stakeholders for a phased withdrawal, but insisted the current deadline is final.
She urged manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to ensure full compliance ahead of the enforcement date, emphasizing that the agency would not tolerate violations.
