The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced nationwide enforcement of the Federal Government’s sachet alcohol ban, targeting alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles below 200 millilitres. The enforcement exercise, which began on Wednesday, is being carried out simultaneously across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and marks the full implementation of the government’s prohibition on the affected products.
As part of the operation, NAFDAC enforcement teams have been deployed to markets, motor parks, bars, supermarkets, retail outlets and other distribution channels to identify, confiscate and destroy prohibited alcoholic beverages still in circulation.
The crackdown follows the closure of manufacturing facilities allegedly found producing the banned products despite earlier regulatory directives. The agency warned that anyone involved in the production, importation, distribution, transportation, storage or sale of the prohibited alcoholic drinks would face regulatory sanctions and possible prosecution.
In a statement, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, directed manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, transporters and hawkers to immediately surrender any remaining stock of the banned alcoholic beverages. She stressed that continued possession or sale of the products would result in their seizure and could lead to legal action against offenders.
According to NAFDAC, the nationwide exercise represents one of its most extensive regulatory actions against alcoholic beverages in recent years.
The agency said the enforcement is aimed at reducing underage drinking, curbing substance abuse and limiting young people’s access to cheap alcoholic beverages packaged in small containers. NAFDAC explained that the operation is not a one-time exercise but part of an ongoing nationwide enforcement and public awareness campaign designed to eliminate harmful alcohol products from the Nigerian market.
The agency said the sachet alcohol ban is intended to protect children, adolescents and other vulnerable groups from the health risks associated with the widespread availability of small-pack alcoholic drinks. It added that the policy also seeks to promote responsible alcohol consumption among adults.
NAFDAC clarified that the enforcement does not target manufacturers that comply with approved packaging standards but is focused solely on removing alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below the approved 200ml threshold, which are now considered illegal.
The agency appealed to Nigerians to support the ongoing operation by reporting individuals and businesses involved in producing, distributing, stocking or selling the prohibited products. NAFDAC also advised members of the public to avoid purchasing or consuming the banned alcoholic beverages and encouraged them to report suspected violations to the nearest NAFDAC office as enforcement continues across the country.
