A nationwide ban on the production and sale of sachet and small bottled alcoholic beverages will take effect from December 31, 2025, according to a statement released by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The move, described as a bold step towards curbing alcohol abuse, particularly among Nigerian youths, has sparked intense debate across industries and communities.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the announcement on Monday, May 20, stating that the ban follows years of consultations and warnings to manufacturers. The agency had given affected companies a five-year window starting in 2018 to phase out the packaging of alcohol in sachets and PET bottles of 200ml and below.
The decision is backed by data showing a surge in underage and high-risk alcohol consumption, driven largely by the affordability and accessibility of these products. According to a 2023 report by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), over 30% of adolescents between the ages of 14–19 admitted to consuming alcohol regularly—many citing sachets as their preferred option due to cost.
NAFDAC argues that the packaging format encourages impulsive buying, unregulated sales, and widespread misuse among minors, commercial drivers, and low-income individuals. The agency is partnering with the Federal Ministry of Health, Consumer Protection Council, and Civil Society Organizations to enforce the ban and support public education campaigns.
Manufacturers, however, have pushed back, warning that the ban could lead to massive job losses and the rise of black-market production. Industry representatives are calling for a phased alternative rather than a hard stop, even as NAFDAC insists the health and social costs of inaction far outweigh the economic impact.
Public reactions have been mixed. While health advocates and religious leaders are praising the policy, traders and low-income consumers fear it could lead to price hikes and product scarcity. Some critics have also raised concerns about enforcement in rural areas where regulation is weak and illicit trade thrives.
As the countdown to the December deadline begins, NAFDAC says surveillance teams will be deployed across the country to ensure compliance. Prof. Adeyeye reiterated the agency’s resolve: “We cannot continue to mortgage the future of our youth for commercial profits. It is time to protect lives.”
