The Federal Government has issued a directive to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to immediately suspend its proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic products. This significant move also includes a warning to the agency to cease all sealing operations at factories and warehouses involved in the manufacturing and storage of these products.
Government Intervention and Security Concerns
According to a statement released on Wednesday, February 11, in Abuja by Terrence Kuanum, the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, this order follows a joint intervention by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser. These offices expressed serious concerns over the potential security implications of continuing enforcement actions in the absence of a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy.
The statement explicitly stated, "Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the ongoing ban on sachet alcohol are to be suspended pending the final consultations and implementation of the National Alcohol Policy and the issuance of a final directive." This suspension applies to measures such as factory shutdowns, warehouse sealing, and public emphasis on the ban.
Economic and Security Risks Highlighted
The government emphasized that the continued sealing of warehouses and what it described as a "de facto ban" on sachet alcohol products, without a harmonized policy framework, is already causing significant economic disruptions. These disruptions pose security risks due to their impact on jobs, supply chains, and informal distribution networks across Nigeria.
Kuanum noted that this position reinforces an earlier directive issued by the SGF's office in December 2025, which had already suspended all actions related to the proposed ban pending further consultations and a final decision. The involvement of the National Security Adviser underscores that the issue has escalated beyond mere regulatory concerns, with warnings that premature enforcement could destabilize communities, worsen unemployment, and trigger security challenges.
Legislative and Policy Review
The SGF's office has also received a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, dated November 13, 2025. This letter, referenced NASS/10/HR/CT.53/77 and signed by the Deputy Chairman, Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo, raised concerns over NAFDAC's proposed enforcement actions and referenced existing resolutions of the National Assembly on the matter.
Although the National Alcohol Policy has been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health in line with President Bola Tinubu's directive, both the SGF and NSA offices insist that NAFDAC must refrain from all enforcement measures until the policy is fully implemented and further directives are issued. The Federal Government is currently reviewing legislative resolutions, public health considerations, economic implications, and national interest factors surrounding this issue.
Assurances and Future Steps
The government has assured Nigerians and industry stakeholders that a final decision will be communicated after comprehensive consultations and inter-agency coordination. This process aims to balance public health, economic stability, and national security interests, ensuring a more coordinated and effective approach to alcohol regulation in the country.
