The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has directed the suspension of all enforcement actions related to the proposed ban on sachet alcoholic beverages until further notice.
The directive follows a formal request 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.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, Terrence Kuanum, the OSGF confirmed that the correspondence from the House Committee, dated November 13, 2025, is currently under review.
“The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is considering the matter in line with its statutory coordinating role as Chairman of the Cabinet Secretariat,” the statement said.
Accordingly, the SGF directed 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.”
The OSGF further clarified that any enforcement carried out by NAFDAC or other agencies without clearance would be invalid.
“Any action or enforcement undertaken without due resolution by the OSGF is of no effect and should be disregarded by the public until a final decision is formally communicated,” the statement added.
The office assured Nigerians that all relevant factors were being carefully examined.
“Legislative resolutions, economic implications, public health concerns, and broader national interest considerations are being reviewed to ensure a balanced, lawful, and well-coordinated outcome,” it said, noting that the public would be informed once a final position is reached.
The suspension comes after NAFDAC announced plans to prohibit the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and bottles smaller than 200 millilitres by December 2025.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, had said the policy was aimed at addressing the misuse of cheap alcohol, particularly among youths and commercial drivers.
Pressure from the National Assembly has, however, continued to mount, with lawmakers repeatedly calling for the suspension of enforcement in line with resolutions passed since 2024.
Earlier, the Senate approved a December 31, 2025, phase-out deadline following a motion by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who argued that the timeline aligned with global best practices and was intended to reduce alcohol-related harm.
