The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has firmly denied reports claiming the Federal Government ordered it to suspend enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages packaged in PET bottles below 200ml.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, described the reports as false and misleading, stressing that the agency has received no such directive from the Federal Government.
Prof. Adeyeye stated that NAFDAC operates strictly within its statutory mandate and only acts on formally communicated government policies.
“The publication alleging that the Federal Government has directed NAFDAC to suspend enforcement actions on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages packaged in PET bottles below 200ml is false and does not reflect any official communication,” she said.
“At no time has the Agency received any directive to suspend its regulatory or enforcement activities regarding sachet alcohol and small-volume alcoholic beverages. The ban remains in force.”
She disclosed that enforcement efforts are ongoing, including the evacuation of sachet alcohol and sub-200ml PET alcoholic products from manufacturers and distributors.
According to her, some manufacturers have already begun phasing out the affected products, acknowledging that the policy is aimed at protecting minors and vulnerable groups.
Citing available data, Adeyeye noted that nearly 50 per cent of minors and underage individuals who consume alcohol purchase sachet and small PET bottle products due to their affordability and accessibility.
She reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to safeguarding public health, ensuring regulatory compliance, and implementing government policies transparently and in line with due process.
The agency also cautioned media organisations and the public against spreading unverified information capable of creating confusion and misinterpretation of government policy, urging stakeholders to rely on official communication channels.
NAFDAC initially began enforcing the ban on alcohol sold in sachets and PET bottles smaller than 200ml on February 1, 2024, citing public health concerns and the rising abuse of cheap alcoholic beverages, particularly among minors.
However, enforcement was later suspended, with implementation extended to December 31, 2025, to allow manufacturers time to adjust.
Earlier reports had suggested that the Federal Government, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, instructed NAFDAC to halt enforcement and stop sealing factories and warehouses. The agency has now publicly refuted those claims.
In May 2026, NAFDAC clarified that the temporary lifting of the ban was only valid until December 31, 2025, and did not amount to a permanent reversal.
The policy has generated significant debate within the manufacturing sector. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) previously warned that the ban could endanger over 500,000 direct jobs and about five million indirect jobs, with investments estimated at ₦1.9 trillion potentially at risk.
There are also concerns about possible revenue losses from reduced excise duties and taxes, as well as fears that tighter restrictions could encourage the growth of counterfeit and illicit alcohol products.
Nevertheless, NAFDAC maintains that restricting sachet and small-volume alcohol is necessary to curb underage drinking, reduce alcohol abuse, and address associated health and social challenges.
For now, the agency’s position is clear: the ban stands, and enforcement continues.
