The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has officially commenced enforcement of the long-standing ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages packaged in PET bottles below 200 ml across Nigeria.
The move marks the end of a multi-year grace period given to manufacturers and distributors and signals a decisive regulatory shift aimed at addressing growing public health and youth safety concerns.
The sachet alcohol ban was first introduced in 2018 following consultations between NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and industry stakeholders.
At the time, regulators cited the widespread availability of high-alcohol products in small, inexpensive packaging as a major risk factor for underage drinking, alcohol abuse, and unsafe consumption habits.
Manufacturers were initially granted a phase-out period, which was later extended multiple times. The final deadline for compliance was set for December 31, 2025, after which full enforcement was mandated.
Earlier this year, the Nigerian Senate directed NAFDAC to proceed with enforcement nationwide, ruling out any further extensions.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye confirmed that the agency has begun coordinated enforcement actions to halt the production, distribution, and sale of sachet alcohol and sub-200 ml PET-packaged alcoholic drinks.
According to NAFDAC, some of the banned products previously contained extremely high alcohol concentrations, in some cases exceeding levels considered safe for responsible consumption.
Public health advocates have largely welcomed the enforcement, arguing that sachet alcohol’s affordability and portability made it particularly appealing to minors and vulnerable groups.
However, industry stakeholders have raised concerns about the economic impact, warning that the ban could affect small-scale manufacturers, distributors, and retailers who rely heavily on sachet sales.
Some industry groups have also cautioned that enforcement without sufficient consumer education could drive demand toward unregulated or illicit alcohol products, a risk NAFDAC says it is monitoring closely.
NAFDAC has reiterated its commitment to public awareness campaigns while urging manufacturers and sellers to comply fully with the law.