By John Umeh
NAFDAC Enforces Nationwide Ban on Sachet and Small-Bottle Alcohol by December 2025
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has officially announced a total ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small bottles below 200ml, effective December 2025.
The directive, reaffirmed by NAFDAC’s Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, follows a resolution by the Nigerian Senate expressing concern over the accessibility of cheap, high-alcohol-content beverages to minors and commercial drivers.
According to Adeyeye, such products have become a public health menace, being “easily accessible, affordable, and concealable,” which has contributed to increased cases of addiction, domestic violence, school dropouts, and road accidents across Nigeria.
“This ban is not punitive; it is protective. It aims to safeguard the health and future of our children and youth. We cannot continue to sacrifice the well-being of Nigerians for short-term economic gain,” she said.
The NAFDAC boss explained that the decision aligns with the agency’s earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN). The agreement, initiated in 2018, had set a phased withdrawal of sachet and small-bottle alcoholic drinks by 2024 but was extended to December 2025 to allow stakeholders time to adjust production lines.
Adeyeye emphasized that the latest Senate directive is final and that no further extension will be granted. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers have been urged to comply with the regulation ahead of the enforcement date.
She also revealed that NAFDAC will collaborate with security agencies to ensure full enforcement of the ban beginning January 2026. Nationwide sensitization campaigns will also be carried out to educate the public on the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption and the harmful impact of sachet-packaged liquor.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerians’ health, stressing that only safe and properly regulated alcoholic beverages will be permitted in the market going forward.
