The Senate has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant regulatory bodies to fully enforce the ban on high-strength alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets starting December 2025.
Lawmakers insisted that no further extensions will be granted beyond the current moratorium, stressing that manufacturers must comply with the agreed deadline.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, who urged the Senate to resist renewed attempts by some manufacturers to seek another extension of the ban.
Leading the debate, Senator Ekpeyong explained that NAFDAC introduced the phased ban after broad consultations with stakeholders and in line with international health standards. He recalled that in 2018, key stakeholders — including the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and industry associations — signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding to gradually phase out sachet-packaged alcoholic drinks.
According to him, the agreement was driven by mounting public health concerns, as the affordability and portability of sachet alcohol made it easily accessible to children, teenagers, commercial drivers, and other vulnerable groups. This, he noted, has fuelled addiction, reckless behaviour, and serious health complications.
Ekpeyong further reminded lawmakers that although the initial deadline had passed, the Federal Government granted a one-year moratorium in 2024 to allow manufacturers to clear existing stock and adopt safer packaging options, extending the deadline to December 2025.
He, however, expressed worry that some manufacturers are again lobbying for an additional extension — a move he described as an attempt to undermine regulatory authority and a direct threat to public health.
“The continued circulation of high-strength alcoholic beverages in sachets is worsening youth addiction, contributing to road accidents, school dropouts, domestic violence, and other social problems,” Ekpeyong said, warning that Nigeria cannot continue to normalise the abuse of cheap alcohol simply because it is widely available.
After extensive deliberations, the Senate directed the Federal Ministry of Health to remove all obstacles preventing NAFDAC from enforcing the ban, emphasising that the agency must not be hindered by bureaucratic delays or political interference.
Lawmakers also urged the Ministry to fast-track the release of the National Alcohol Policy, which will formally prohibit sachet packaging of high-strength alcoholic beverages and provide a framework for nationwide sensitisation on the dangers of consumption.
The Senate concluded that the health and safety of Nigerians must take precedence over commercial interests.