…Full enforcement begins January 2026

The Federal Government has officially banned the production, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and bottles below 200 millilitres, as part of efforts to curb alcohol abuse and safeguard public health.

According to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), full enforcement of the ban will begin on January 1, 2026.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, announced that the Federal Government had also approved the recruitment of 1,000 additional personnel for the agency starting in December, to strengthen its regulatory and enforcement operations.

Adeyeye said the decision followed a Senate resolution and a directive from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, reinforcing NAFDAC’s mandate to protect vulnerable groups—particularly children, adolescents, and young adults—from the harmful effects of alcohol.

“This decisive action underscores our duty to protect Nigerians from the health and social hazards of unregulated alcohol consumption. Alcohol in sachets and small bottles is cheap, accessible, and easily concealable, making it a major driver of misuse and addiction, especially among minors and commercial drivers,” she said.

The NAFDAC DG noted that the proliferation of high-alcohol-content drinks in small packages had become not only a public health concern but also a national security issue, as early exposure to alcohol among youths often leads to substance abuse and criminal behaviour.

“This menace is linked to increased domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other social vices,” she warned.

Adeyeye stressed that the ban is protective, not punitive, and is guided by scientific evidence and global best practices.

“Our decision is to protect the health and future of Nigerian youths. We cannot continue to trade national well-being for short-term economic gains. The health of our people is the true wealth of our nation,” she added.

She clarified that the regulation targets spirit drinks packaged in sachets and small-volume PET or glass bottles below 200ml, and does not apply to all alcoholic beverages.

Recounting previous efforts, Adeyeye explained that in December 2018, NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with industry associations — the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), to phase out such packaging by January 2024.

The moratorium was later extended to December 2025 to allow manufacturers adjust their production processes.

Adeyeye noted that the Senate’s recent resolution aligns with both the earlier industry agreement and Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol (WHA63.13, 2010).

She urged all manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to comply fully with the December 2025 deadline, warning that no further extension would be granted.

On enforcement strategy, Adeyeye said NAFDAC would continue collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health, FCCPC, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to intensify nationwide awareness campaigns on the health and social dangers of alcohol misuse.

“This is a shared responsibility. We must act collectively to protect the health, safety, and future of our nation,” she concluded.