The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye has declared that prohibiting the sale of alcohol in sachets and small bottles remains the most effective strategy to address the growing problem of underage drinking in Nigeria.
Adeyeye made this assertion at a joint press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, officially marking the start of nationwide enforcement of the ban. The enforcement effort involves a collaboration between NAFDAC, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
Why the Ban?
The NAFDAC chief explained that sachets and small-volume bottles are particularly dangerous because they are cheap, widely available, and easily hidden by young people. She described alcohol as one of the most commonly abused substances among Nigerian youth and noted that multiple studies have documented a sharp rise in alcohol availability and consumption across all age groups over recent decades.
Survey Findings Paint a Troubling Picture
Adeyeye referenced the results of an independent national survey conducted in 2021, which sampled approximately 2,000 respondents across all six geopolitical zones. The findings were deeply concerning:
– Over 54 per cent of minors obtained alcohol on their own from various outlets.
– Nearly 50 per cent bought from retailers selling sachets and small PET bottles.
– About 47 per cent of minors specifically chose sachet packaging because it was easy to conceal.
– Around 63 per cent of minors reported drinking alcohol occasionally.
– Roughly 9 per cent of minors and 25 per cent of underage children consumed alcoholic beverages regularly.
– Some children as young as nine years old were found to be consuming alcohol.
– An estimated 50 per cent of children surveyed had consumed alcohol.
Health and Social Consequences
The NAFDAC boss outlined the severe health risks associated with early exposure to alcohol, including damage to the brain’s memory and decision-making centres, liver and kidney disease, hormonal disruption, increased cancer risk, and mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety.
She warned that young people who begin drinking before the age of 15 are 41 per cent more likely to develop alcohol dependency and are at greater risk of progressing to harder substances like cocaine and other narcotics.
Beyond health, Adeyeye linked underage drinking to a range of behavioural problems including violence, risky sexual behaviour, unwanted pregnancies, poor academic performance, and even involvement in criminal activities such as banditry and kidnapping.
A Long Road to Enforcement
The NAFDAC chief recounted the lengthy journey to this point. In 2018, industry groups including the Association of Food and Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DBAN) pushed back against the agency’s initial attempt to reduce alcohol concentration in sachets, which at the time was as high as 50 per cent.
The then Minister of Health granted these groups a five-year grace period to restructure their businesses. When NAFDAC attempted to begin enforcement in February 2024, the trade groups again resisted, escalating the matter to the National Assembly’s committee on NAFDAC, which asked the agency to pause its actions.
In December 2024, another one-year extension was granted. However, following a Senate resolution on November 6, 2025, communicated to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on December 1, 2025, the agency was directed to proceed without further delays. The ban on production and sale of alcohol in sachets and bottles below 200 millilitres officially took effect on January 1, 2026.
Partner Agencies Ready for Action
Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the FCCPC, warned that offenders would face severe penalties under existing laws once full enforcement begins. He stressed that the commission’s sanctions regime is robust and that violators should expect firm consequences.
NOA Director-General Lanre Onilu described the ban as a deliberate public health measure designed to limit youth access to cheap, high-strength alcohol. He highlighted the importance of the three-agency partnership, explaining that NAFDAC handles regulation, the FCCPC ensures responsible market conduct and consumer protection, while NOA drives public awareness and behavioural change.
Together, the agencies aim to ensure that the policy delivers its intended impact — protecting Nigeria’s young population from the devastating effects of early alcohol exposure.
