FG officially bans production, sale of alcohol in sachets, small bottles

In a move to curb alcohol abuse and protect public health, the Federal Government has officially banned the production, sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small bottles.

Full enforcement of the ban will begin on January 1, 2026, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, said.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye made this announcement in Abuja on Tuesday.

Also, she hinted that the Federal Government had also approved the recruitment of 1,000 additional personnel for the agency, starting in December, to strengthen its regulatory and enforcement capacity.

Adeyeye said the ban was sequence to a Senate resolution and a directive from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, reinforcing NAFDAC’s mandate to safeguard public health and protect vulnerable groups, particularly children, adolescents and young adults, from the harmful effects of alcohol.

According to her, “This decisive action underscores our duty to protect Nigerians from the health and social hazards of unregulated alcohol consumption. Alcohol in sachets and small bottles is cheap, accessible, and easily concealable, making it a major driver of misuse and addiction, especially among minors and commercial drivers.

“This public health menace is associated with increased domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other social vices,” she added.

Adeyeye said the ban was pertinent and guided by scientific evidence and global best practices.

“Our decision is to protect the health and future of Nigerian youths. We cannot continue to trade national well-being for short-term economic benefits. The health of our people is the true wealth of the nation,” she said.

She clarified that the regulation specifically targeted spirit drinks packaged in sachets and small-volume and glass bottles below 200ml, and does not apply to all alcoholic beverages.

Backing the Senate’s resolution on the ban, Prof. Adeyeye said the move aligned with both the earlier agreement and Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol (WHA63.13, 2010).

She urged all stakeholders, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, to comply fully with the December 2025 deadline, warning that no further extension will be granted.