The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has resumed enforcement of its ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small PET or glass bottles below 200 millilitres.
The agency said the action is in line with a
resolution of the Nigerian Senate and its
statutory mandate to protect public health,
particularly among children, adolescents, and
young adults.
According to NAFDAC, the widespread
availability, low cost, and ease of concealment of
alcohol in sachets and small containers have
contributed significantly to underage drinking,
alcohol misuse, addiction, and related social
problems such as road accidents and school
dropouts.
NAFDAC, however, clarified that the enforcement
does not involve the closure of any alcohol-
producing company. The restriction applies
strictly to spirit drinks packaged in sachets and
bottles below 200ml, while alcoholic beverages in
larger, approved packaging sizes remain
permitted for production and sale in Nigeria.
The agency recalled that in December 2018, it
signed a Memorandum of Understanding with
industry stakeholders to phase out sachet and
small-volume alcohol packaging. The initial
deadline of January 31, 2024, was later extended
to December 2025 to allow manufacturers
exhaust existing stock and reconfigure
production lines.
NAFDAC noted that the current enforcement
aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to the World
Health Assembly’s Global Strategy to Reduce the
Harmful Use of Alcohol.
Speaking on the development, the Director-
General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah
Adeyeye, described the ban as protective rather
than punitive, stressing that it is aimed at
safeguarding public health.
She emphasized that the health of Nigerians,
especially young people, must take priority,
adding that no further extensions beyond
December 2025 will be granted. Source: NAFDAC Press Release
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