The Federal Government has announced a ban on the production, sale, and distribution of alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and bottles smaller than 200 milliliters.
The ban, which aims to reduce alcohol abuse and protect public health, will take full effect on January 1, 2026, according to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said at a press briefing in Abuja that the government has also approved the recruitment of 1,000 new staff for the agency to boost enforcement and regulatory operations.
She explained that the decision followed a Senate resolution and a directive from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The move, she said, is to protect children, teenagers, and young adults from the dangers of cheap and easily available alcohol.
“Alcohol in sachets and small bottles is cheap, easy to hide, and encourages misuse, especially among minors and commercial drivers,” Adeyeye stated.
She warned that such unregulated alcohol contributes to rising cases of road accidents, domestic violence, school dropouts, and other social problems.
Adeyeye said the ban is not meant to punish anyone but to protect Nigerians’ health.
She stressed that; “We cannot trade public health for short-term economic benefits.”
She clarified that the ban only affects spirit drinks in sachets and bottles smaller than 200ml, not all alcoholic beverages.
NAFDAC had earlier agreed with beverage industry groups to phase out the packaging by January 2024, but the deadline was extended to December 2025 to allow producers to adjust.
Adeyeye said the new enforcement aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Organisation’s policy to reduce harmful alcohol use.
She urged all producers, distributors, and sellers to comply before the 2025 deadline, warning that no further extension will be given.
NAFDAC will also work with the Ministry of Health, FCCPC, and National Orientation Agency to raise awareness nationwide about the dangers of alcohol abuse.
