The Federal Government has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to immediately halt all enforcement activities concerning the ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle products.
This directive, a coordinated intervention by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser, was prompted by serious concerns over economic stability and potential security risks.
Both offices cautioned that continued enforcement in the absence of a fully operational National Alcohol Policy could “destabilize communities, worsen unemployment, and trigger avoidable security challenges.”
In a statement, Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, clarified that although the National Alcohol Policy has been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health under the direction of President Bola Tinubu, NAFDAC must not seal factories or warehouses until the policy is fully implemented.
The SGF and NSA stressed that the ongoing “de facto banning” of these products without a harmonized framework is causing significant disruptions.
“The continued sealing of warehouses and de facto banning of sachet alcohol products… is already creating economic disruptions and poses a growing security threat, particularly given the impact on employment, supply chains, and informal distribution networks across the country,” the statement warned.
The OSGF further disclosed that its decision was influenced by a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, dated November 13, 2025.
The correspondence, signed by Deputy Chairman Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, referenced National Assembly resolutions cautioning against the proposed ban.
Reaffirming a prior suspension issued in December 2025, the OSGF said its role is to carefully review legislative, public health, and economic factors before a final decision is taken.
“Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the ongoing ban on sachet alcohol are to be suspended pending the final consultations and implementation of the National Alcohol Policy and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement emphasized.
The Federal Government also declared that any unauthorized measures by NAFDAC would be considered “invalid,” urging the public and industry stakeholders to disregard enforcement actions not approved by the OSGF.
The statement assured Nigerians that a “final, balanced, and lawful decision” would be communicated in due course, balancing public health concerns with national security and economic stability.
