By George Ozalla
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed its stance on the ban of sachet and small bottled alcoholic drinks, insisting that the decision was taken in the interest of public health and national safety.
According to a statement signed by the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC maintained that the ban followed years of extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health, manufacturers, and consumer protection groups. The agency explained that its primary concern is the rising trend of alcohol consumption among underage persons, who easily access the cheap and portable sachet drinks.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized that the ban, which targets alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles of less than 200ml, aligns with global public health standards and the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to curb the harmful use of alcohol. She noted that the measure is also in line with Nigeria’s national alcohol control policy.
NAFDAC further dismissed claims that the ban was abrupt or unfair to manufacturers, stating that the implementation was phased and communicated in advance to give companies ample time to adjust their production lines. The agency reiterated that the protection of public health takes precedence over economic interests, particularly when young people are at risk of addiction and associated social problems.
The regulatory body reaffirmed that it would not reverse the policy, stressing that its enforcement teams would continue routine surveillance across markets and production facilities to ensure full compliance.
NAFDAC first announced the ban in 2018 as part of its broader strategy to promote responsible alcohol consumption and reduce the burden of substance abuse among Nigerian youths.
