NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye has defended the agency's nationwide crackdown on sachet alcohol and small PET bottle spirits, emphasizing that the primary goal is to protect Nigerian children from early alcohol exposure. A NAFDAC survey found that 54.3% of minors who drink obtained alcohol on their own, and among those who purchased it, 48.8% bought it in sachets – a cheap, concealable form that the agency says fuels underage drinking.
Secret factories and hidden operations
During a Channels Television interview, Adeyeye alleged that some manufacturers continued producing banned products despite a six-year grace period. She stated that inspectors discovered factories operating without signboards, relocating to unregistered sites, and selling alcohol without NAFDAC registration numbers or manufacturing dates. Video evidence captured companies in the act, with time-stamped footage of illegal production. One manufacturer reportedly moved from Ota to Ijoko to evade detection.
Tougher sanctions on the table
NAFDAC has already sealed three companies linked to illegal production. Adeyeye said the agency is considering blacklisting offenders and invoking the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) to confiscate assets. Investigations are ongoing to determine how many firms are still violating the ban. She stressed that no one is above the law and sanctions will be announced after the probe concludes.
Why the ban focuses on children
Adeyeye explained that adults can make informed choices, but children are vulnerable to cheap, easily hidden sachet alcohol. She warned that children starting to drink as young as five or nine years old jeopardizes Nigeria's future. The survey data underscores that sachet alcohol is a gateway for underage drinkers.
Manufacturers had six years to prepare
In December 2018, NAFDAC, the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), and other stakeholders agreed to phase out sachet alcohol and containers under 200ml, giving a five-year deadline. After the 2024 deadline, an additional one-year moratorium was granted following a National Assembly request. The Senate later directed NAFDAC to enforce without further extensions and asked the Federal Ministry of Health not to interfere.
NAFDAC begs for more staff and funding
Adeyeye highlighted a severe shortage: NAFDAC has about 2,000 staff for Nigeria's 240 million people, compared to Indonesia's 20,000 regulators for 280 million. She said at least 5,000 more staff are urgently needed to improve inspections. The Federal Task Force, established in 2004, has never received dedicated funding. She expressed hope that the government will address these resource gaps to strengthen enforcement nationwide.
