By George Ozalla
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed its determination to enforce the Federal Government’s ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles below 200 millilitres, declaring that the nationwide exercise will continue until all prohibited products are completely removed from the Nigerian market.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, stated this during a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, where she provided an update on the agency’s nationwide mop-up operation following the expiration of the moratorium granted to manufacturers and marketers of the affected products.
Adeyeye said the enforcement exercise was aimed at protecting public health, particularly young people, from the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption, stressing that there would be no further extension of the deadline for compliance.
According to her, the ban followed extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors and relevant government agencies, before the expiration of the transition period.
She noted that the policy was also backed by resolutions of the National Assembly directing the agency to fully implement the ban in the interest of public health and national development.
The NAFDAC boss disclosed that the agency recently carried out a week-long nationwide mop-up operation, during which enforcement teams visited factories, warehouses, distribution outlets and retail locations across several states, including Lagos and Ogun.
She revealed that the operation uncovered widespread violations of the directive, with some manufacturers allegedly continuing to produce and distribute sachet alcohol and PET bottled alcoholic drinks below the approved 200ml threshold despite the expiration of the moratorium.
According to Adeyeye, investigators recovered packaging materials and products bearing production dates as recent as July 2026, an indication that some operators had continued production after the ban came into effect.
She alleged that some manufacturers attempted to evade enforcement by relocating production lines to unregistered facilities and removing company signboards to conceal their operations from regulators.
Describing such actions as unacceptable, the Director-General warned that any company found violating the directive would face severe regulatory sanctions, including closure of production facilities, seizure of products and prosecution in accordance with existing laws.
“We will sustain enforcement until all banned products are removed from circulation,” she declared, adding that NAFDAC would not be deterred by resistance from non-compliant operators.
Adeyeye also condemned attacks on NAFDAC enforcement officials during the operations, disclosing that one officer narrowly escaped being stabbed while another sustained injuries in the course of carrying out official duties.
She warned that anyone found obstructing or assaulting NAFDAC personnel would be investigated and prosecuted, stressing that attacks on law enforcement officers would not be tolerated.
The Director-General appealed to manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers to comply fully with the directive, noting that the agency remained committed to creating a safer environment for Nigerians through effective regulation of food, drugs and other regulated products.
She further urged members of the public to support the campaign by reporting the production, distribution or sale of banned alcoholic products to the agency, assuring that every report would be treated with the seriousness it deserves.
Adeyeye reiterated that NAFDAC would continue working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the National Orientation Agency and other stakeholders to strengthen public awareness on the dangers associated with the consumption of sachet alcohol, especially among youths.
She maintained that the agency’s objective was not to stifle legitimate businesses but to safeguard public health and ensure that alcoholic beverages are produced, packaged and marketed in a manner consistent with national regulations and international best practices.
