The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic drinks packaged in containers smaller than 200 millilitres, citing growing concerns about widespread access to alcohol among minors across Nigeria.
Addressing stakeholders, regulators and members of the public, the agency emphasised that the measure forms part of broader efforts to protect children and young people from substance abuse and its long-term health and social consequences.
A senior official of the regulatory body stated that the agency’s position remains firm, stressing that the policy was designed primarily to shield children from easily accessible alcoholic products.
“We are here for the children of Nigeria. We are here to ensure that the ban on sachet alcohol and alcohol in small bottles less than 200 ms remain banned. We are here to make sure that we have a future,” the official said.
According to the agency, alcohol consumption has increased steadily in Nigeria over the past few decades due to rising production levels, imports and widespread availability of alcoholic beverages across multiple retail outlets.
Officials explained that the ease with which alcohol can be purchased and concealed has contributed significantly to its growing consumption among minors.
“Alcohol is one of the most widely used substances of abuse among youths,” the official stated, adding that increased availability has worsened the problem.
NAFDAC noted that regulatory discussions on alcohol packaging began several years ago, particularly concerning highly concentrated alcohol sold in sachets. Industry groups had initially challenged the move, arguing that such restrictions would negatively affect their businesses.
“In 2018, ABTE and DBAN took Navda to the ministry that we are trying to reduce the concentration of alcohol in such by that time it was like 50%. In the satchet beer is about 6 to 8%. So you can imagine how concentrated that is and the fact that it is easy to access. It is easy to conceal,” the official said.
Following consultations with industry stakeholders, the Federal Ministry of Health granted manufacturers a five-year moratorium beginning in 2018 to restructure their production systems and adjust their operations.
However, when the regulatory agency attempted to begin enforcement in February 2024 after the expiration of the grace period, the process faced resistance from industry groups and legislative interventions.
“However, the Ministry of Health called all of us. FCCPS was there and the ban said that and ABt said that their businesses will be destroyed. That's for 2018,” the official explained.
The agency disclosed that the enforcement process encountered repeated delays throughout 2024 following appeals for additional extensions.
“In December 2024, the minister said we should give an extra one year. Minister of Health, Professor Pate, extra one year. And we gave,” the official said, noting that enforcement eventually resumed after the Senate directed the agency to proceed.
As part of the policy process, NAFDAC conducted a nationwide survey to determine the extent of alcohol consumption among minors and underage persons. The agency said the results of the research raised serious public health concerns.
“The overall objective of the research is to undertake a national survey of consumers and retailers of alcohol, beverages and wines to determine the extent of alcohol abuse among underage,” the official explained.
The study, conducted across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and involving approximately 2,000 participants, produced findings that the agency described as alarming.
“The result was daming. The result was dam to this country,” the official said.
According to the survey, a significant proportion of minors were able to obtain alcohol without adult supervision.
“It was found out that 54.3% of miners and underage obtain alcohol by themselves from various sources. 49.9% of them patronize retailers of drinks sold in such packs and pet bottles,” the official stated.
The report also revealed that nearly half of the minors surveyed consumed alcohol, with many purchasing it directly from retail outlets.
“50% of our children drink alcohol,” the official added.
The research further indicated that alcohol consumption among minors was often facilitated by friends, relatives and social gatherings. In many cases, the small packaging of sachet alcohol allowed underage consumers to conceal the drinks easily.
“Of those who procure drinks for themselves, 47.2 of minors and 48.8% of underage procure drinks in sachets because it is easy to conceal,” the official explained.
The agency also expressed concern about the frequency of alcohol consumption among young people.
“The survey data revealed that 63.22 of minus and 54% of underage drink alcohol occasionally while 44.3 and 38.3% of adults drink alcohol occasionally and daily respectively,” the official said.
Some respondents were reported to have started consuming alcohol at very early ages.
“As young as 9 years old in this survey consume alcohol,” the official noted.
NAFDAC warned that early exposure to alcohol could lead to long-term health complications, including damage to brain development, liver disease and increased risks of addiction.
“Alcohol can damage the hippocampus, memory center in the brain and prefrontal cortex leading to permanent issues with learning, memory and impulse control,” the official explained.
The agency also cited risks such as alcohol poisoning, hypertension, kidney damage and increased vulnerability to mental health conditions including depression and anxiety.
“Youth who begin drinking before age 15… are 41% more likely to become dependent on alcohol,” the official said.
Beyond health concerns, NAFDAC linked early alcohol consumption to wider social consequences, including violence, road accidents and other risky behaviours.
“Alcohol drinking in youth major factor in youth suicides, homicides and motor vehicle crashes or accidents,” the official stated.
The Senate subsequently passed resolutions urging strict enforcement of the ban. According to the agency, the resolutions were communicated to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in December 2025.
Lawmakers directed the regulatory body not to grant further extensions to manufacturers regarding the policy.
“The resolutions urge NAVDAC not to grant further extension to the moratorum and to ensure immediate strict enforcement of the ban on suchet alcohol and alcohol in small bottles,” the official said.
The Senate also called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to support enforcement efforts, while encouraging the National Orientation Agency and NAFDAC to intensify public awareness campaigns on the risks associated with alcohol consumption among minors.
In closing, the agency emphasised that limiting access to alcohol through packaging restrictions could significantly reduce underage drinking in Nigeria.
“Access to alcohol by children can be limited if the pack sizes, sets, and small volume bottles that can be easily concealed are made not available are not available,” the official said.
The regulator added that broader public engagement would be required to address the problem effectively.
“Consumption of alcohol should raise alarm for parents, teachers, religious leaders and community at large,” the official concluded.