ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — Nigeria’s food and drug regulatory agency said Tuesday it will begin enforcing a nationwide ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and bottles smaller than 200 milliliters starting in December 2025.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said the measure is aimed at curbing alcohol misuse among youth and commercial drivers. Director General Mojisola Adeyeye announced the decision at a press briefing in Abuja, describing the products as “easily accessible, affordable, and concealable,” and linking them to rising cases of domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts and other social issues.
“This ban is not punitive; it is protective,” Adeyeye said. “We cannot continue to sacrifice the well-being of Nigerians for short-term economic gain.”
The announcement follows a Senate resolution passed last Thursday directing NAFDAC to implement the ban without further delay. Lawmakers said the agency had previously postponed enforcement from 2023 to 2024, and then to 2025, allowing manufacturers to continue lobbying for extensions.
Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, who sponsored the motion, said further delays would undermine public trust and Nigeria’s commitment to international health standards.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC had earlier signed a memorandum of understanding with industry stakeholders to phase out the products, but the Senate’s directive now sets a firm deadline. She urged manufacturers, distributors and retailers to begin compliance ahead of the enforcement date.
The ban applies to all alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and containers smaller than 200 milliliters.
“I think it’s long overdue,” said Blessing Okon, a secondary school teacher in Uyo. “These sachet drinks are everywhere, and young people are abusing them. It’s affecting their behavior and their future.”
But some small business owners expressed concern about the economic impact.
“This will hurt our sales,” said Chukwudi Nwankwo, who runs a kiosk in Lagos. “Most of my customers buy sachet drinks because they’re cheap. If they’re banned, I don’t know how we’ll survive.”
Public health advocates welcomed the move, calling it a step toward reducing alcohol-related harm.
“This is a win for public health,” said Dr. Amina Yusuf, a community health specialist in Abuja. “We’ve seen the damage these products cause, especially among vulnerable groups. It’s time we put safety first.”
