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Protests have erupted over the alleged enforcement of a ban on the production, distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small PET/glass bottles (below 200ml) by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, with a civic group accusing the agency of acting in a high-handed and undemocratic manner.
At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, a group, Concerned Citizens for Change, condemned what it described as a hasty move that could cause serious economic damage.
The group said reports attributed to NAFDAC suggested that enforcement of the ban had commenced, allegedly following resolutions of the Senate.
PUNCH Online reports that in November 2025, NAFDAC, in a press release, reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to enforce the total ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small-volume PET/glass bottles by December 2025, in line with the directive of the Senate.
The Agency stated that the decisive action, ordered by the Nigerian Senate and backed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, underscores its statutory mandate to safeguard public health and protect vulnerable populations, particularly children, adolescents, and young adults, from the harmful use of alcohol.
NAFDAC said 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.
“This public health menace has been linked to increased incidences of domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and social vices across communities,” NAFDAC said.
Speaking on the ban, on behalf of the group, Oluoha Chukwudi said the announcement made by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, did not reflect earlier stakeholder engagements involving industry operators, regulators and lawmakers.
According to him, the issue had been extensively discussed at a stakeholders’ parley convened by the Federal Ministry of Health, with participation from members of the House of Representatives, where key resolutions were reached, including a one-year extension period and the development of a multi-sectoral National Alcohol Policy.
“The alleged outright ban is at variance with the resolutions already agreed upon by stakeholders and supervised by the Ministry of Health, which constitutionally oversees NAFDAC,” Chukwudi said.
“We are surprised that NAFDAC would bypass this inclusive framework and seek enforcement without broad consultation,” he added.
The group also questioned claims that sachet alcohol consumption is a major driver of underage drinking, saying several independent studies had reportedly dismissed such assertions.
It added that industry operators had invested heavily in responsible-drinking campaigns, spending over N1 billion on nationwide media sensitisation to curb abuse among minors.
Chukwudi warned that enforcing the ban could have severe economic consequences, including the loss of over N1.9 trillion in investments, the retrenchment of more than 500,000 direct employees and the disruption of about five million indirect jobs across the value chain.
