The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced that the total ban on alcohol sold in sachets and small PET bottles will take effect in January 2026.
NAFDAC Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye, speaking in Abuja, said the agency is fully committed to protecting public health, stressing that safeguarding Nigerians’ well-being remains its top priority.
She explained that the ban targets the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles under 200ml, with full compliance required by December 2025. The move follows a recent Senate directive and is supported by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Adeyeye highlighted that small, affordable containers of high-alcohol drinks contribute to misuse and addiction, particularly among minors and commercial drivers, and have been linked to domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other social problems affecting families and communities nationwide.
She recalled that in December 2018, NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission signed a five-year agreement with the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria. The original deadline of January 2024 was extended to December 2025 to allow manufacturers to adjust production and deplete existing stock.
Adeyeye stressed that the ban aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol. She said the policy is protective rather than punitive, designed to safeguard the health and future of children and young adults.
Only spirit drinks in sachets and small PET or glass bottles below 200ml are affected. Adeyeye urged manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to meet the December 2025 deadline, warning that no further extensions will be granted.
She added that NAFDAC will partner with the Ministry of Health, FCCPC, and the National Orientation Agency to raise public awareness about the risks of alcohol misuse, reaffirming the agency’s mission to ensure that Nigerians have access only to safe and properly regulated products.
