Nigeria’s drug regulatory agency, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has launched a nationwide enforcement operation targeting sachet alcohol and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles below 200ml.
The crackdown follows a Senate directive issued in November 2025, which gave manufacturers and distributors a December 31 deadline to comply. NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, announced the enforcement in Lagos, citing growing public health concerns.
According to Adeyeye, sachet alcohol and small-sized bottles often contain high alcohol concentrations and are vulnerable to contamination, making them easily accessible to minors and contributing to underage drinking and alcohol abuse.
Public health advocates have welcomed the move, describing it as a major step toward safer communities and improved alcohol regulation. However, manufacturers have raised concerns over the potential economic impact, warning that the ban could result in an estimated ₦1.9 trillion in revenue losses and widespread job cuts. Small-scale traders have also expressed fears that the enforcement could severely affect their livelihoods.
