NAFDAC, NOA, FCCPC Launch Joint Enforcement of Sachet Alcohol Ban Despite Industry Protests
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has launched a comprehensive nationwide enforcement campaign to reinforce the federal government's ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages sold in bottles smaller than 200 millilitres.
Public Health Protection and Underage Drinking Concerns
According to a joint statement issued during a press briefing, this coordinated initiative specifically targets the reduction of underage drinking and addresses significant public health concerns linked to the widespread availability of low-cost alcoholic drinks. The Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasized that the renewed enforcement drive was prompted by alarming concerns over alcohol accessibility to minors.
Professor Adeyeye cited findings from a 2021 nationwide survey which revealed that 54.3% of underage respondents were able to obtain alcohol independently, with many purchasing sachet and small-bottle products. She warned that early exposure to alcohol significantly increases risks of addiction, poor academic performance, and long-term health challenges, stressing that limiting access to small and affordable alcohol packages remains a crucial strategy for protecting children and young people.
NOA's Preventive Campaign and Digital Reporting Tools
The Director-General of NOA, Lare Issa-Onilu, described the campaign as a preventive measure designed to reduce circulation of cheap, high-strength alcoholic drinks among vulnerable populations. He announced that the agency would mobilize its offices across all 774 local government areas to promote awareness through schools, markets, religious centers, community engagements, and extensive media outreach.
Issa-Onilu further revealed that the NOA's CLHEEAN App would be utilized to enable members of the public to report violations and actively support enforcement efforts. The agencies collectively called upon parents, community leaders, retailers, and other stakeholders to comply with the directive and support the campaign, emphasizing that safeguarding children from harmful substances requires collective responsibility and sustained public cooperation.
Manufacturer Protests and Economic Concerns
This joint enforcement campaign proceeds despite multiple protests from manufacturers, workers, and trade unions against the ban on sachet and PET-bottle alcohol. Workers in the food and beverage sector recently demonstrated at the Lagos office of NAFDAC, joined by labor unions who warned that the ban threatens millions of jobs and could exacerbate economic pressures on workers and manufacturers.
The protesters called upon the federal government to intervene and halt NAFDAC's implementation of the ban. However, the agency maintains there is no reversal of the policy. Professor Adeyeye recalled that manufacturers were granted a five-year moratorium in 2018 to phase out sachet alcohol production and adjust their operations, and with that grace period concluded, regulatory enforcement has resumed in accordance with existing directives.
Background and Legislative Support
NAFDAC initiated nationwide enforcement of the ban on production and sales of alcohol in sachets in January 2026. The prohibition, which extends to alcohol in PET bottles below 200 ml, was enforced following a resolution by the Nigerian Senate that provided the agency with legislative backing. NAFDAC has consistently argued that the widespread availability of high-alcohol-content drinks in small, cheap, and easily concealed packages poses substantial public health risks, particularly to minors and young adults.
The agencies have reiterated their commitment to the enforcement campaign, highlighting that the ban remains in full effect despite industry opposition. They emphasize that protecting public health, particularly among Nigeria's youth population, remains their paramount priority in this ongoing regulatory effort.
