NAFDAC Resumes Enforcement of Ban on Small Alcohol Packaging to Protect Nigerian Youth
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday fully resumed enforcement of its ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small bottles under 200 millilitres. The agency clarified that no alcohol-producing companies have been shut down and emphasized that the measure aims solely to shield children and vulnerable groups from the harmful effects of alcohol.
This enforcement action follows a directive from the Nigerian Senate and is supported by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
NAFDAC stated that the move is consistent with its statutory mandate to safeguard public health, particularly among children, adolescents, and young adults.
Director-General Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye refuted reports that the agency had shut down alcohol factories, affirming that only specific packaging formats are targeted.
“NAFDAC has not closed any alcohol manufacturing companies. We have only prohibited alcohol in sachets and small containers below 200 millilitres,” she clarified.
Adeyeye highlighted that the widespread availability of high-alcohol-content beverages in small packaging has made alcohol cheap, easily accessible, and discreet, which has contributed to increased misuse among minors and commercial drivers. She linked this trend to rising cases of addiction, domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other social issues nationwide.
“This ban is not punitive; it is protective,” she stated. “It is designed to safeguard the health and future of our youth by restricting access to alcohol in small packs. This decision is based on scientific evidence and public health considerations. We must prioritize the wellbeing of Nigerians over economic gains because the health of a nation is its true wealth.”
Adeyeye dismissed suggestions that warning labels like “Not for Children” could effectively curb underage drinking, citing challenges in enforcement within the Nigerian context.
“Many parents are unaware that their children consume alcohol in sachets because the packaging is affordable and easily hidden,” she explained. “Reports from schools indicate students often hide sacheted alcohol, and some teachers have observed students unable to sit for exams without consuming it.”
She recalled that the policy was not abrupt, noting that manufacturers had years to adapt. In December 2018, NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with industry stakeholders to phase out sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging by January 31, 2024. This moratorium was later extended to December 2025.
“The current Senate resolution aligns fully with that agreement,” Adeyeye affirmed, adding that the action also fulfills Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Assembly’s Global Strategy to Reduce Harmful Use of Alcohol, which emphasizes protecting vulnerable populations.
She also emphasized that NAFDAC continues to approve larger pack sizes for alcoholic beverages, noting that the primary goal of the ban is to reduce alcohol accessibility for underage individuals.
“Smaller sachets are easier for children to conceal from parents and teachers. Larger packs do not pose the same challenge,” she explained.
NAFDAC reiterated that only two packaging formats are affected—spirit drinks in sachets and small PET or glass bottles under 200 millilitres—and warned that no further extensions to the phase-out deadline beyond December 2025 will be granted.
The agency pledged ongoing collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and the National Orientation Agency to intensify nationwide awareness of the health and social risks associated with alcohol misuse.
“NAFDAC remains committed to ensuring that only safe, properly regulated, and wholesome products are available to Nigerians,” Adeyeye
