Senate Directs Full Enforcement of Sachet Alcohol Ban by December 2025

The Nigerian Senate has mandated the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), alongside other regulatory bodies, to begin full enforcement of the ban on high-strength alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets starting December 2025. Lawmakers emphasized that no further extensions should be granted beyond the current moratorium.

This resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, who urged the Senate to uphold the original phase-out timeline and resist any attempts to delay implementation. During plenary, Ekpeyong reminded his colleagues that NAFDAC had introduced the phased ban in line with global best practices and after extensive consultations with stakeholders.

He referenced a 2018 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by key parties—including the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), NAFDAC, and industry associations such as the Association of Food, Beverage & Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN). The MoU committed signatories to gradually eliminate sachet-packaged alcohol due to growing public health concerns.

Ekpeyong noted that the products’ affordability and portability have made them easily accessible to vulnerable groups, including minors, commercial drivers, and low-income communities. Despite the initial deadline, the Federal Government granted manufacturers an additional one-year moratorium in 2024 to allow for stock clearance and packaging transitions, extending the phase-out to December 2025.

However, the senator expressed concern that some manufacturers are lobbying for another extension, which he argued undermines regulatory authority, endangers public health, and disrupts fair competition. He warned that continued production of sachet alcohol contributes to youth addiction, road accidents, school dropouts, and domestic violence.

Following deliberations, the Senate also instructed the Federal Ministry of Health to eliminate any barriers preventing NAFDAC from executing its enforcement duties. Additionally, lawmakers called for the expedited release of the National Alcohol Policy, which should formally prohibit sachet packaging of high-strength alcoholic beverages and support nationwide public awareness campaigns.