NAFDAC to Enforce Ban on Alcohol in Sachets and Small Bottles by December 2025
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed its decision to enforce a total ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small bottles (below 200 millilitres) by December 2025.
During a press briefing in Abuja, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, explained that the move aims to curb the rising cases of alcohol misuse among Nigerian youths and commercial drivers.
According to her, “The proliferation of high-alcohol-content beverages in sachets and small containers has made such products easily accessible, affordable, and concealable, leading to widespread misuse and addiction among minors and commercial drivers.”
A Response to Public Health and Safety Concerns
The decision follows a Senate resolution directing NAFDAC to proceed with full enforcement, insisting that no further deadline extensions will be granted. Lawmakers raised concerns over repeated postponements since the initial deadline in 2023.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), who sponsored the motion, emphasized that the continued availability of cheap alcoholic sachets contributes to domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and social vices. He added that any further delay would undermine Nigeria’s commitment to global health and safety standards.
A Call for Stakeholder Compliance
Professor Adeyeye noted that NAFDAC had earlier entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with manufacturers and distributors to implement a phased withdrawal. However, with the Senate’s latest directive, full compliance is expected before December 2025.
She stressed that the ban is a protective measure, not a punishment. “This ban is not punitive; it is protective. It is aimed at safeguarding the health and future of our children and youth,” she said.
“We cannot continue to sacrifice the well-being of Nigerians for short-term economic gain. The health of a nation is its true wealth.”-Professor Adeyeye
The upcoming ban signals a major step toward reducing substance abuse and promoting healthier lifestyles across Nigeria. Manufacturers, retailers, and the public are encouraged to support this initiative to build a safer and more responsible society.
