NAFDAC bans sachet alcohol, setting a December 2025 deadline to end the sale of small-size drinks as part of efforts to curb youth misuse and accidents
NAFDAC bans sachet alcohol as the agency announced a total prohibition on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and bottles smaller than 200 millilitres, effective December 2025.
Also read:Senate orders NAFDAC on sachet alcohol ban by December
The Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed the decision during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, describing it as a protective measure to curb the growing abuse of cheap, high-alcohol drinks among young people and commercial drivers.
She said the ban on sachet alcohol followed Senate’s directive mandating full enforcement by the end of 2025, with no further extensions permitted.
“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 drivers,” Adeyeye stated.
According to her, the misuse of such drinks has contributed to domestic violence, road crashes, school dropouts, and rising cases of social disorder.
The new measure, she stressed, seeks to safeguard public health rather than punish manufacturers. “This ban is not punitive; it is protective. It is aimed at safeguarding the health and future of our children and youth,” she added.
The Senate had earlier directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to proceed with a complete ban, insisting that Nigeria could no longer delay compliance with global health standards.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who sponsored the motion, criticised the agency’s past extensions and warned that continued postponements would erode public trust.
Adeyeye recalled that NAFDAC had previously entered into an agreement with stakeholders for a phased withdrawal of the products, initially targeting 2023, later 2024, and finally 2025.
She confirmed that the latest deadline is final, urging manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to ensure full compliance ahead of enforcement.
Also read: Senate orders NAFDAC on sachet alcohol ban by December
The NAFDAC bans sachet alcohol directive underscores the government’s growing emphasis on health and safety, reflecting its resolve to protect Nigerians from harmful consumption habits. “The health of a nation is its true wealth,” Adeyeye concluded with conviction.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
