The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) has directed a suspension of all enforcement actions related to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol products until further notice.
The move follows correspondence from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control regarding the planned enforcement of the ban by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
In a statement on Monday, Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Terrence Kuanum, said the letter, dated November 13, 2025, and signed by Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Uchenna Okonkwo, is currently under review. The OSGF noted it is considering the matter “in line with its statutory coordinating role as Chairman of the Cabinet Secretariat.”
The office instructed that “all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the proposed sachet alcohol ban be suspended pending the conclusion of consultations and the issuance of a final directive by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.” The statement also clarified that “any action or enforcement undertaken by NAFDAC or any other agency on this matter without due clearance from the OSGF is of no effect and should be disregarded by the public until a formal decision is communicated.”
The OSGF assured Nigerians that all relevant legislative resolutions, economic considerations, public health concerns, and national interests are being carefully evaluated to ensure a balanced and lawful outcome. “The public will be duly informed once a final position has been reached,” the statement added.
NAFDAC had previously announced that the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and bottles smaller than 200 millilitres would be banned by December 2025, citing the need to curb misuse among youths and drivers, according to Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye.
The SGF’s directive comes amid repeated calls from the National Assembly for NAFDAC to suspend the enforcement of the ban, consistent with resolutions passed since 2024. A December 1 letter from the Permanent Secretary (General Services), Mohammed Danjuma, addressed to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, and the NAFDAC Director-General, requested feedback to guide the SGF’s decision based on the House Committee’s concerns.
Earlier, the Senate had approved a December 31, 2025, phase-out deadline following a motion by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), noting that the timeline aligns with global standards and is intended to reduce alcohol-related harm.
