The Federal Government has launched a five-year plan aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm, strengthening regulation and tackling the growing trade in illicit alcohol products across the country.
The Nigeria Alcohol Policy and Multisectoral Implementation Plan was unveiled in Abuja as part of efforts to coordinate the response to the health, social and economic challenges associated with alcohol consumption.
Under the plan, the government will intensify public awareness campaigns on the dangers of alcohol, regulate alcohol marketing, enforce age restrictions, expand access to treatment services and strengthen measures to ensure that alcohol products are safe and properly tracked across the supply chain.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said alcohol-related harm could not be addressed by the health sector alone, noting that the issue has implications for public health, economic development and good governance.
Pate stressed the need for stronger coordination among government institutions, clearly defined responsibilities and effective accountability to ensure successful implementation of the policy.
The implementation plan is built around four key areas: reducing alcohol-related harm and promoting health; supporting industrial and economic development; strengthening coordination across government; and monitoring and evaluation.
According to the latest data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigerians aged 15 years and above consumed an average of 3.2 litres of pure alcohol per person in 2024.
The Federal Government also identified alcohol consumption as a significant concern for road safety.
Figures from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) showed that 9,570 road crashes were recorded nationwide in 2024, resulting in 5,421 deaths, with driving under the influence of alcohol identified as a major contributing factor.
Illegal Alcohol Trade
The government also expressed concern over the size of Nigeria’s illegal alcohol market, which poses challenges to public health, regulation and government revenue.
Industry estimates from a 2024 survey indicate that illegal spirits and wines account for about 40 per cent of the alcohol market.
The illegal trade is also estimated to cost the government more than N428 billion annually in lost revenue.
The new policy is aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s development agenda as well as Nigeria’s international commitments under the African Union, the Sustainable Development Goals and other global health frameworks.
Representatives of key government institutions, including the Ministries of Finance and Trade, the Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps, were present at the launch and pledged their support for coordinated implementation of the five-year plan.
The government said the success of the policy would depend on sustained collaboration among relevant agencies and stakeholders to reduce alcohol-related harm while strengthening regulation and protecting public health.
