Protests Erupt Over Alleged Sachet Alcohol Ban by NAFDAC

Protests have erupted following reports that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is enforcing a ban on the production, distribution, and consumption of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small PET/glass bottles (below 200ml). A civic group, Concerned Citizens for Change, accused the agency of acting in a high-handed and undemocratic manner.

At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the group condemned what it described as a hasty move with potentially serious economic consequences. According to the group, NAFDAC’s enforcement allegedly follows Senate resolutions, despite earlier stakeholder consultations that had proposed a one-year extension and the development of a multi-sectoral National Alcohol Policy.

“The alleged outright ban is at variance with the resolutions already agreed upon by stakeholders and supervised by the Ministry of Health, which constitutionally oversees NAFDAC,” said Oluoha Chukwudi, speaking on behalf of the group. He added that the agency bypassed the inclusive framework previously established for consultations with industry operators, regulators, and lawmakers.

NAFDAC, however, stated that the ban aligns with its statutory mandate to protect public health, particularly children, adolescents, and young adults, from harmful alcohol use. The agency cited the accessibility and affordability of high-alcohol-content beverages in sachets as contributing to misuse, addiction, domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other social vices.

The civic group challenged claims linking sachet alcohol consumption to underage drinking, noting independent studies disputing such assertions. They highlighted that industry operators have invested over N1 billion in responsible-drinking campaigns nationwide.

Chukwudi warned that enforcing the ban could result in losses of over N1.9 trillion in investments, the retrenchment of more than 500,000 direct employees, and disruption of approximately five million indirect jobs, potentially undermining manufacturing growth and local entrepreneurship.

The group called on the Minister and Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare to implement the validated National Alcohol Policy, urged the Senate to revisit the issue through broad stakeholder consultation, and appealed for NAFDAC to suspend enforcement until the policy is fully rolled out.

It also accused NAFDAC’s leadership of unilateral action inconsistent with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Tinubu, advocating for dialogue, transparency, and adherence to due process in resolving the controversy.