Lawmakers reject further extensions, direct NAFDAC and Health Ministry to act decisively on phase-out…
The Nigerian Senate has ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant regulatory bodies to begin full enforcement of the ban on the production, importation, and packaging of high-strength alcoholic beverages in sachet formats starting December 2025.
Lawmakers also ruled out any further extensions of the deadline, ending speculation that manufacturers might secure another grace period beyond the current moratorium.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong (Cross River South) titled “Need to Halt Further Extension of the Phase-Out of Alcoholic Beverages Packaged in Sachet Formats.”
Background: Five-Year Agreement and Delayed Enforcement
Presenting the motion, Ekpeyong recalled that NAFDAC, acting in line with international best practices, had announced a phased ban on sachet-packaged alcohol after extensive consultations with stakeholders.
In 2018, the agency, alongside the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and industry groups such as the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to gradually phase out such products.
The agreement cited rising health and social concerns stemming from the affordability and easy access of sachet alcohol, particularly among youths, commercial drivers, and other vulnerable groups.
Health and Social Concerns
Ekpeyong explained that despite the initial deadline, the Federal Government granted manufacturers a one-year extension in 2024 to enable them to deplete existing stock and transition to compliant packaging alternatives, pushing the final phase-out date to December 2025.
However, he warned that some producers have resumed lobbying for another postponement, describing the move as a threat to public health, regulatory authority, and fair market competition.
“The continued production and sale of high-strength alcoholic beverages in sachets contribute to youth addiction, domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other social vices,” the senator said.
Senate Directives to NAFDAC and Health Ministry
After deliberations, the Senate directed the Federal Ministry of Health to remove any bureaucratic or policy obstacles hindering NAFDAC’s enforcement actions against non-compliant companies.
Lawmakers further urged the ministry to expedite the release of the National Alcohol Policy, which explicitly prohibits the sachet packaging of high-strength alcoholic drinks and supports a national public awareness campaign on responsible alcohol consumption.
“The era of endless extensions must end,” one senator noted during the session. “Public safety must come before commercial interest.”
Manufacturers Face December 2025 Compliance Deadline
With the latest resolution, all beverage manufacturers are required to fully comply with the ban by December 2025, bringing an end to years of regulatory delays and industry lobbying.
The Senate’s decision signals a renewed commitment to tackling alcohol abuse, youth exposure, and public health risks associated with cheap, high-proof beverages sold in sachet formats.
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