The Federal Government has announced a ban on the production, sale, and distribution of alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and bottles smaller than 200 milliliters.
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja.
She also announced that the government has approved the recruitment of 1,000 new staff for the agency to boost enforcement and regulatory operations.
According to the NAFDAC’s Director-General, the ban, which aims to reduce alcohol abuse and protect public health, will take full effect on January 1, 2026.
She explained that the decision followed a Senate resolution and a directive from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Prof. Adeyeye noted that the move is to protect children, teenagers, and young adults from the dangers of cheap and easily available alcohol.
She warned that such unregulated alcohol contributes to rising cases of road accidents, domestic violence, school dropouts, and other social problems.
Adeyeye said the ban is not meant to punish anyone but to protect Nigerians’ health.
She clarified that the ban only affects spirit drinks in sachets and bottles smaller than 200ml, not all alcoholic beverages.
The agency had earlier agreed with beverage industry groups to phase out the packaging by January 2024, but the deadline was extended to December 2025 to allow producers to adjust.
Adeyeye urged all producers, distributors, and sellers to comply before the 2025 deadline, warning that no further extension will be given.
