The Federal Government has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to immediately suspend all enforcement actions relating to the ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle products.
The directive followed a joint intervention by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser, which cited concerns over economic stability and potential security risks.
In a statement signed by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, the government warned that continued enforcement in the absence of a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy could “destabilise communities, worsen unemployment, and trigger avoidable security challenges.”
The statement noted that although the National Alcohol Policy has been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health under the direction of President Bola Tinubu, the policy is yet to be fully operationalised. As such, NAFDAC has been instructed to refrain from sealing factories or warehouses pending final consultations and implementation.
According to the government, the current enforcement measures have created disruptions across supply chains and informal distribution networks, raising concerns about job losses and broader economic implications.
“The continued sealing of warehouses and de facto banning of sachet alcohol products is already creating economic disruptions and poses a growing security threat, particularly given the impact on employment, supply chains, and informal distribution networks across the country,” the statement said.
The decision was also influenced by a correspondence from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control dated November 13, 2025. The letter, signed by Deputy Chairman Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, referenced existing National Assembly resolutions cautioning against the proposed ban.
Reaffirming an earlier suspension issued in December 2025, the Federal Government stated that all actions relating to the ban would remain on hold pending a comprehensive review of legislative, public health, and economic considerations.
“Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the ongoing ban on sachet alcohol are to be suspended pending the final consultations and implementation of the National Alcohol Policy and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement added.
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The development temporarily eases tensions between regulators, manufacturers, and distributors, as stakeholders await further guidance on the future of the policy.
