Senate Orders NAFDAC to Enforce Full Ban on Sachet Alcohol by December 2025

Senate Orders NAFDAC to Enforce Full Ban on Sachet Alcohol by December 2025

The Nigerian Senate has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant regulatory bodies to begin the full enforcement of the ban on high-strength alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets starting December 2025.

Lawmakers ruled out any further extensions beyond the current moratorium, putting an end to speculation about another grace period for manufacturers.

This resolution came after a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong titled “Need to Halt Further Extension of the Phase-Out of Alcoholic Beverages Packaged in Sachet Formats.”

Background and Policy Context

Senator Ekpeyong explained that NAFDAC, in collaboration with key stakeholders, had earlier announced a phased ban on the production, importation, and distribution of alcohol in sachet packaging.

In 2018, a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed among stakeholders — including the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Association of Food, Beverage & Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), and Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) — committing to a gradual phase-out.

The move followed growing public health concerns over the accessibility and affordability of sachet alcohol, especially among minors, drivers, and low-income groups.

Public Health and Social Concerns

Despite the initial five-year phase-out plan, the Federal Government granted an additional one-year extension in 2024 to allow manufacturers to exhaust old stock and transition to safer packaging alternatives — shifting the final deadline to December 2025.

Senator Ekpeyong warned that some producers have begun lobbying for another postponement, which he said undermines regulatory integrity, threatens public health, and distorts market fairness.

He emphasized that continued availability of high-strength sachet alcohol contributes to youth addiction, road accidents, school dropouts, domestic violence, and other social problems.

Senate’s Directives to Regulatory Bodies

Following deliberations, the Senate instructed the Federal Ministry of Health to remove all barriers preventing NAFDAC from enforcing the ban and to intensify public awareness campaigns about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption.

Lawmakers also called for the swift release of the National Alcohol Policy, which will formally prohibit sachet packaging for high-strength alcoholic beverages and set clearer standards for responsible production and marketing.

With this resolution, all manufacturers must comply fully by December 2025, marking the end of years of policy delays and resistance from industry stakeholders.

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