The Nigerian Senate has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant regulatory bodies to strictly enforce a ban on high-strength alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets starting from December 2025.
The Senate emphasised that no further extension beyond the current moratorium would be allowed.
The decision followed a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, who explained that allowing further extensions undermines regulatory authority, threatens public health, and creates unfair competition within the alcoholic beverages industry.
The ban on sachet alcohol has been an ongoing concern due to its accessibility and affordability, especially among children, adolescents, and low-income groups.
Sachet alcohol is easy to conceal and transport, which makes monitoring and regulation difficult. Its consumption has been linked to social issues such as youth addiction, road accidents, school dropouts, domestic violence, and other social vices.
In 2018, stakeholders including NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and industry groups such as the Association of Food, Beverage & Tobacco Employers and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
This agreement committed the parties to gradually phase out sachet-packaged alcoholic beverages over a five-year period.
The phased approach was designed to give manufacturers time to transition to alternative packaging while protecting public health.
Despite the initial plan, the federal government granted a one-year extension in 2024 to allow manufacturers to exhaust existing stock and adjust production lines.
However, as December 2025 approaches, some manufacturers have reportedly requested another extension, citing challenges in transitioning to compliant packaging.
The Senate, through the motion, rejected any further delay and instructed the Federal Ministry of Health to remove any obstacles preventing NAFDAC from enforcing the ban.
The ministry was also asked to release the National Alcohol Policy, which should explicitly prohibit high-strength alcohol in sachet packaging and support public awareness campaigns to sensitise citizens on the dangers of sachet alcohol.
The ban aims to reduce the consumption of high-strength alcoholic beverages among vulnerable populations, improve public health outcomes, and align with international best practices for alcohol regulation.
The enforcement of this ban is expected to prevent the continued social and health problems associated with the availability of sachet alcohol, including youth addiction, traffic accidents, and domestic violence.
By setting a firm deadline for compliance from December 2025, the Senate intends to ensure that industry practices follow legal and regulatory standards while protecting public safety.
