The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has revealed the reasons why the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small-volume PET or glass bottles (below 200ml) will be banned by December 2025.
This follows the recent directive by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to a statement by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, this decisive action, supported by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, reinforces the Agency’s mandate to safeguard public health and protect vulnerable groups, particularly children, adolescents, and young adults, from harmful alcohol consumption.
“The widespread availablity and affordability of high-alcohol-content beverages in small sachets and bottles have contributed to misuse, addiction, and social harm, including domestic violence, road accidents, and school dropouts,” Prof. Mojisola noted.
She recalled that in 2018, NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) to phase out these products by January 31, 2024.
However, the moratorium was later extended to December 2025 to allow industry operators to exhaust old stock and adjust production lines.
“This ban is not punitive; it is protective. It is aimed at safeguarding the health and future of our children and youth. The decision is rooted in scientific evidence and public health considerations,” the DG explained.
She stated that Nigeria cannot continue to sacrifice the well-being of its citizens for short-term economic gain, stressing that “the health of a nation is its true wealth.”
Prof. Mojisola reiterated that only spirit drinks packaged in sachets and small-volume bottles below 200ml are affected by this regulation and urged all manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to comply fully, as no further extension will be granted beyond December 2025.
She added that NAFDAC will continue to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the FCCPC, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to intensify nationwide sensitisation campaigns on the health and social dangers of alcohol misuse.
