The Federal government has begun enforcing a nationwide ban on alcoholic drinks sold in sachets and small bottles of less than 200 millilitres.
The move, which came into effect on 1 January 2026, targets the production, distribution, and sale of high-strength alcohol in easily concealable packaging. Authorities say the ban is aimed at reducing underage drinking and harmful alcohol consumption patterns.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) outlined the government’s enforcement and public awareness campaign.
Speaking, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, said the initiative followed years of consultations and warnings about the risks posed by sachet alcohol, particularly to minors.
“Availability and easy access to alcohol have contributed to rising consumption among young people,” she said, adding that industry groups had previously raised concerns about the economic impact of regulation. A five-year moratorium granted in 2018 to allow businesses to restructure ended in February 2024, after which enforcement began in line with NAFDAC’s mandate.
Also speaking, Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General of NOA, described the campaign as a “united front to protect Nigerians.” He noted that sachet alcohol is cheap, portable, and easy to conceal, making it particularly accessible in rural and semi-urban areas.
“With 818 offices nationwide, we will ensure that this message reaches every community,” he said. “Consumer protection is public protection. Market responsibility is national responsibility. No nation prospers when its youth are caught in cycles of preventable addiction.”
Authorities are urging parents, community leaders, retailers, and distributors to comply with the new regulation and support efforts to protect public health.
