The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has been ordered to halt all enforcement of the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottled alcoholic beverages, including factory closures and warehouse sealing.
Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Terrence Kuanum, said in a statement on Wednesday that the suspension applies to all ongoing measures, pending the finalisation and implementation of the National Alcohol Policy.
The directive follows concerns raised by the SGF’s office and the National Security Adviser that enforcing the ban before a fully coordinated policy could create economic disruptions and security risks. While the policy has been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health under President Bola Tinubu, NAFDAC is now instructed to refrain from any action until a final directive is issued.
Kuanum noted that continued enforcement, including factory shutdowns and warehouse closures, has already affected jobs, supply chains, and informal distribution networks across the country. He referenced an earlier SGF directive from December 2025, which similarly suspended actions pending consultations, as well as a November 2025 letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control that raised concerns about NAFDAC’s proposed measures.
The government said it is reviewing public health, economic, and legislative considerations, emphasising that coordinated implementation is essential to avoid destabilising communities, worsening unemployment, or creating security challenges.
Officials assured Nigerians and industry stakeholders that a final decision will be communicated after inter-agency consultations, with public health, economic stability, and national security remaining top priorities.
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