The Federal Government of Nigeria has suspended all enforcement measures on the proposed ban on sachet alcohol products, officials have announced, after sustained pressure from manufacturers and lawmakers. The directive means that actions by regulators, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), will be paused until further consultations are completed and a final decision is communicated.
In a statement issued on 15 December 2025, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) said it had received a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, dated 13 November 2025. The letter, signed by the committee’s Deputy Chairman, Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, highlighted existing resolutions of the National Assembly regarding the proposed ban, prompting further review.
The SGF’s statement explained that the correspondence is now under review in line with the office’s statutory role in coordinating government policy. While this process continues, the SGF directed that all decisions, actions, or enforcement related to the ban on sachet alcohol must be put on hold. It stressed that any enforcement action taken by NAFDAC or another agency without clearance from the SGF should be disregarded by the public, as such steps would have no effect.
Officials said the government would carefully consider relevant legislative resolutions, economic implications, public health concerns and wider national interests before arriving at a balanced and lawful outcome. They also assured the public that further information on the government’s final position will be made available once consultations are complete.
The debate over sachet alcohol has been ongoing for several years, rooted in concerns about the easy accessibility of ultra-cheap alcoholic drinks sold in small sachets and PET bottles, which critics say are widely available to minors and vulnerable groups. Regulators originally proposed the ban as part of efforts to address these public health anxieties.
Manufacturers and industry bodies have pushed back against the ban, warning of significant economic impact. Representatives have argued that a ban could threaten large investments and hundreds of thousands of jobs in manufacturing, packaging, distribution and retail within the alcoholic beverage sector.
The SGF’s directive reflects a temporary halt rather than a final reversal. It underscores the government’s intention to keep stakeholders engaged and ensure that any policy change is thoroughly examined before enforcement resumes.
