Ojay Matthew
The Senate has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to strictly enforce the ban on the production and sale of sachet alcohol and small-sized PET bottled drinks, insisting that the December 31, 2025 deadline must not be shifted.
The mandate followed an urgent motion presented by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South) during Thursday’s plenary. In his motion, Ekpenyong explained that the enforcement timeline aligns with global health standards designed to curb rising alcohol-related health risks in the country.
He noted that the policy originated from a 2018 agreement involving the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and key industry unions, which agreed to gradually withdraw sachet and mini-bottle alcoholic beverages from circulation over five years. The initiative aims to reduce easy access to cheap, high-strength alcohol, especially among young Nigerians.
According to the lawmaker, manufacturers were previously granted a one-year grace period in 2024 to clear old stocks and adjust operations. However, he raised concerns that some companies are lobbying for another extension—an effort he believes threatens public health and undermines regulatory authority.
He stressed that the continued sale of such products contributes to addiction, impaired youth development, increased school dropout rates, domestic violence, and road accidents, particularly among commercial drivers and teenagers. Ekpenyong also warned that firms which complied with the policy are now at a disadvantage compared to those still pushing for delays.
Several senators supported the motion, including Senator Anthony Ani (Ebonyi South), who described the availability of cheap alcohol as a worsening social and public health issue. He urged swift action to protect young people from substance abuse.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the urgency of full enforcement. He charged NAFDAC to ensure strict compliance to protect public health and safety, particularly youth.
NAFDAC began implementing the phase-out in January 2024, shutting down factories and seizing products still in violation. The agency, led by Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has repeatedly argued that sachet alcoholic beverages are deliberately marketed to young and vulnerable consumers due to their low cost and ease of concealment.
Despite pressure from sections of the industry, NAFDAC has maintained its stance, insisting that the policy is critical to reducing substance abuse, underage drinking, and rising addiction rates across the country.
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