The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced nationwide enforcement of the federal government’s sachet alcohol ban, moving against alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles below 200 millilitres. The enforcement exercise, which is being carried out simultaneously across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, marks the full implementation of the ban on the affected products.
As part of the operation, NAFDAC enforcement teams have been deployed to markets, motor parks, bars, supermarkets, retail outlets and other distribution channels to identify, confiscate and destroy prohibited alcoholic beverages still in circulation.
The agency warned that anyone found producing, importing, distributing, transporting, stocking or selling the banned products would face regulatory sanctions and possible prosecution. The crackdown follows the closure of manufacturing facilities allegedly found producing the prohibited alcoholic drinks despite existing regulatory directives.
In a statement, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, directed manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, transporters and hawkers to immediately surrender any remaining stock of the banned alcoholic beverages. She cautioned that continued possession or sale of the affected products would attract seizure, enforcement actions and prosecution in accordance with existing regulations.
NAFDAC described the operation as one of its most extensive regulatory interventions in recent years, stressing that the exercise is not a one-time enforcement action but part of a broader nationwide campaign.
According to the agency, the initiative combines enforcement with public enlightenment efforts aimed at removing illegal alcoholic products from the Nigerian market. The sachet alcohol ban, it noted, is intended to curb underage drinking, reduce substance abuse and limit easy access to inexpensive alcoholic beverages, particularly among children, adolescents and other vulnerable groups.
The agency clarified that the enforcement targets only alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below the approved 200ml threshold, stressing that manufacturers complying with approved packaging standards are not affected. NAFDAC maintained that the prohibited products are now considered illegal and should no longer be available for sale or distribution anywhere in the country.
The agency appealed to Nigerians to assist in enforcing the sachet alcohol ban by reporting individuals, businesses or outlets involved in producing, transporting, stocking or selling the prohibited alcoholic beverages.
It also advised consumers to avoid purchasing or consuming the banned products and encouraged members of the public to report suspected violations to the nearest NAFDAC office as authorities intensify efforts to enforce compliance nationwide.
