The Nigerian Senate has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other regulatory agencies to fully enforce the ban on high-strength alcoholic beverages sold in sachets starting December 2025, insisting that no further extension will be granted.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, who urged the government to end delays in phasing out sachet-packaged alcohol.
During plenary, Senator Ekpeyong explained that NAFDAC had earlier announced a phased ban on the importation, manufacture, and sale of alcohol in sachets after consultations with industry stakeholders and in line with international best practices.
He recalled that in 2018, key stakeholders — including the Federal Ministry of Health, FCCPC, NAFDAC, and groups like the Association of Food, Beverage & Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) — signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to gradually eliminate sachet alcohol. The move was motivated by rising health and safety concerns, particularly its accessibility to children, youths, and commercial drivers.
Although the initial deadline expired, the Federal Government granted a one-year extension in 2024 to allow manufacturers to clear existing stock, extending the final phase-out to December 2025.
Senator Ekpeyong, however, expressed worry that some producers were lobbying for another delay, warning that such moves could endanger public health, weaken regulatory authority, and promote social problems like addiction, domestic violence, and road accidents.
In response, the Senate also urged the Federal Ministry of Health to remove any obstacles hindering NAFDAC’s enforcement and to fast-track the release of the National Alcohol Policy, which should include clear provisions banning sachet packaging of high-strength alcoholic drinks and promoting public awareness campaigns on responsible consumption.
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