Protests have erupted over the alleged enforcement of a ban on the production, distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small PET/glass bottles below 200ml by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), with a civic group accusing the agency of acting in a high-handed and undemocratic manner.
At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the group, Concerned Citizens for Change, condemned what it described as a hasty move that could cause serious economic damage.
The group said reports attributed to NAFDAC suggested that enforcement of the ban had commenced, allegedly following resolutions of the Senate.
Thewatch.ng reports that in November 2025, NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to enforce a total ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small-volume PET/glass bottles by December 2025, in line with a directive of the Senate.
The agency said the action, ordered by the Senate and backed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, was aimed at protecting public health and safeguarding vulnerable groups, including children, adolescents and young adults, from the harmful use of alcohol.
NAFDAC also stated that the proliferation of high-alcohol-content beverages in sachets and small containers made such products easily accessible, affordable and concealable, leading to widespread misuse and addiction among minors and commercial drivers.
“This public health menace has been linked to increased incidences of domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and social vices across communities,” the agency said.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Oluoha Chukwudi said the announcement made by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, did not reflect earlier stakeholder engagements involving industry operators, regulators and lawmakers.
According to him, the issue was extensively discussed at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Health, with participation from members of the House of Representatives, where key resolutions were reached, including a one-year extension period and the development of a multi-sectoral National Alcohol Policy.
“The alleged outright ban is at variance with the resolutions already agreed upon by stakeholders and supervised by the Ministry of Health, which constitutionally oversees NAFDAC,” Chukwudi said.
“We are surprised that NAFDAC would bypass this inclusive framework and seek enforcement without broad consultation,” he added.
The group also questioned claims that sachet alcohol consumption is a major driver of underage drinking, saying several independent studies had reportedly dismissed such assertions.
It added that industry operators had invested over N1 billion in nationwide responsible-drinking campaigns to curb abuse among minors.
Chukwudi warned that enforcing the ban could have severe economic consequences, including the loss of over N1.9 trillion in investments, the retrenchment of more than 500,000 direct employees, and the disruption of about five million indirect jobs across the value chain.
He said such outcomes would undermine manufacturing growth and local entrepreneurship at a time when the economy is showing signs of gradual recovery.
The group called on the Minister and Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare to endorse and implement the validated National Alcohol Policy and its multi-sectoral framework.
It also urged the Senate to revisit the issue through comprehensive stakeholder consultations, similar to the process earlier undertaken by the House of Representatives.
Additionally, the group appealed to the Senate to rescind any directive authorising enforcement of the ban and to restrain NAFDAC from implementing it pending the full roll-out of the National Alcohol Policy framework.
The group accused NAFDAC’s leadership of acting unilaterally and called on the Director-General to step aside, alleging that her actions were inconsistent with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Tinubu.
It called for dialogue, transparency and strict adherence to due process in resolving the controversy surrounding sachet alcohol regulation.
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