FG begins nationwide crackdown on sachet alcohol and bottles below 200ml
The Federal Government has formally launched a nationwide enforcement and public awareness campaign to stop the production, distribution and sale of alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and bottles smaller than 200ml.
The joint briefing was organised in Abuja by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The ban officially took effect on January 1, 2026.
Why the Federal Government is enforcing the ban
According to NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, the decision is driven by growing evidence that sachet alcohol and small bottles are fuelling underage and harmful drinking in Nigeria.
“The availability and easy access to alcohol have been identified as a contributory factor to the increasing alcohol consumption among minors,” – NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye
She explained that discussions with industry groups started as far back as 2018, after concerns were raised about highly concentrated alcohol sold in sachets. A five-year moratorium approved by former Health Minister Isaac Adewole expired in February 2024.
After further delays, the current Minister of Health, Muhammad Pate, granted a final one-year extension in December 2024, after which enforcement resumed.
Survey findings that triggered renewed action
Adeyeye revealed that national surveys showed alarming trends. Over half of minors reportedly obtain alcohol by themselves, while nearly half buy sachet alcohol and small PET bottles because they are cheap and easy to conceal.
She added that children as young as nine were found to consume alcohol in some states, with binge drinking also recorded.
Health and social risks
NAFDAC warned that early alcohol use damages critical parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning and self-control. It also increases the risk of addiction and exposes young people to other drugs.
Adeyeye stressed that reducing access to small, concealable packs is a practical step toward protecting Nigerian children.
Nationwide awareness campaign begins
The Director-General of NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the agency will use its offices across all 774 local government areas to drive compliance and awareness among parents, retailers and distributors.
The Federal Government says the ban on sachet alcohol and bottles below 200ml is aimed at protecting children, reducing harmful drinking and strengthening public health. Authorities have urged traders, parents and community leaders to support enforcement and report violations.
