….Enforcement begins Jan 2026
By Joseph Erunke
Abuja—The Federal Authorities has formally banned the manufacturing, sale and distribution of alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and bottles beneath 200 millilitres, in a decisive transfer to curb alcohol abuse and shield public well being.
In response to the Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management, NAFDAC, full enforcement of the ban will start on January 1, 2026.
Talking at a briefing in Abuja, yesterday, Director-Normal of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, introduced that the Federal Authorities had additionally authorised the recruitment of 1,000 extra personnel for the company, beginning in December, to strengthen its regulatory and enforcement capability.
Adeyeye stated the ban adopted a Senate decision and a directive from the Federal Ministry of Well being and Social Welfare, reinforcing NAFDAC’s mandate to safeguard public well being and shield susceptible teams, notably youngsters, adolescents and younger adults, from the dangerous results of alcohol.
“This decisive motion underscores our obligation to guard Nigerians from the well being and social hazards of unregulated alcohol consumption. Alcohol in sachets and small bottles is affordable, accessible, and simply concealable, making it a serious driver of misuse and habit, particularly amongst minors and industrial drivers,” she acknowledged.
The NAFDAC DG famous that the proliferation of high-alcohol-content drinks in small packages has created not only a public well being problem but additionally a nationwide safety concern, as early alcohol publicity amongst youths typically results in substance abuse and prison behaviour.
“This public well being menace is related to elevated home violence, street accidents, faculty dropouts, and different social vices,” she added.
Adeyeye burdened that the ban is protecting, not punitive, and is guided by scientific proof and international finest practices.
“Our resolution is to guard the well being and way forward for Nigerian youths. We can’t proceed to commerce nationwide well-being for short-term financial advantages. The well being of our individuals is the true wealth of the nation,” she stated.
She clarified that the regulation particularly focused spirit drinks packaged in sachets and small-volume PET or glass bottles beneath 200ml, and doesn’t apply to all alcoholic drinks.
Recounting earlier efforts, the NAFDAC DG defined that in December 2018, the company, alongside the Federal Ministry of Well being and the Federal Competitors and Client Safety Fee, FCCPC, signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with business associations – the Affiliation of Meals, Beverage and Tobacco Employers, AFBTE, and the Distillers and Blenders Affiliation of Nigeria, to part out such packaging by January 2024.
That moratorium was later prolonged to December 2025 to permit operators modify their manufacturing processes.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasised that the Senate’s newest decision aligned with each the sooner settlement and Nigeria’s dedication to the World Well being Group’s International Technique to Scale back the Dangerous Use of Alcohol (WHA63.13, 2010).
She urged all stakeholders,producers, distributors, and retailers,to conform totally with the December 2025 deadline, warning that no additional extension might be granted.
On enforcement technique, she stated NAFDAC would proceed to work with the Federal Ministry of Well being, FCCPC, and the Nationwide Orientation Company, NOA, to accentuate nationwide consciousness campaigns on the well being and social risks of alcohol misuse.
“This can be a shared accountability. We should act collectively to guard the well being, security, and way forward for our nation,” she additional stated.
The submit FG bans manufacturing, sale of alcohol in sachets, small bottles appeared first on Vanguard Information.
