The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has refuted reports alleging that the federal government had directed the agency to suspend enforcement actions relating to the regulation of sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic products.
Recent online reports had claimed that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) ordered the agency to halt enforcement of the alcohol ban.
The agency, in a statement signed by Mojisola Adeyeye, its director general, on Wednesday, said the publication was false, misleading, and does not reflect any official communication received by the Agency from the federal government.
“NAFDAC operates strictly within the ambit of its statutory mandate and in alignment with duly communicated federal government policies and directives. At no time has the Agency received any formal directive ordering the suspension of its regulatory or enforcement activities in respect of sachet alcohol products,” the statement read.
The agency said it remained committed to safeguarding public health, ensuring regulatory compliance, and carrying out its responsibilities transparently and in accordance with established laws and due process.
It is informed that any decision affecting national regulatory actions will be communicated through official government channels.
“NAFDAC therefore urges members of the public, industry stakeholders, and the media to disregard the false report and to rely only on verified information issued through the Agency’s official platforms and authorised government communication channels.
“The Agency also cautions against the dissemination of unverified information capable of causing unnecessary public anxiety, economic uncertainty, or misinterpretation of government policy,” the statement added.
Background
NAFDAC started enforcing a nationwide ban on the production and sale of alcohol packaged in sachets and PET bottles in January 2026, following a directive from the Senate to phase out the products by December 2025.
The move, pushed by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, was said to align with global standards aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. NAFDAC said it received fresh authorisation from the Senate before launching enforcement.
According to the agency’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, the ban is driven by public health concerns, particularly the easy access children and vulnerable groups have to high-alcohol drinks sold in small, affordable sachets and bottles. Some of these products reportedly contained as much as 50–90% alcohol.
While NAFDAC insists it is not against alcohol consumption, it opposes the widespread sale of high-concentration alcohol in small packages. The policy has, however, faced pushback from manufacturers and civil groups, who warn it could lead to massive job losses and economic setbacks.
Adeyeye noted that producers were given a five-year transition window, from 2018 to January 2024, to comply, reaffirming that enforcement will continue in the interest of public health.
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