Nigerian Senate directs regulators to begin full enforcement of the sachet alcohol ban in December 2025, rejecting any further grace periods for producers.
The Nigerian Senate has instructed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to begin enforcing the nationwide ban on high-strength alcoholic beverages sold in sachets from December 2025, ruling out any further extensions for manufacturers.
The resolution, passed during the plenary session on Tuesday November 4, 2025, followed a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, who warned that repeated delays in implementing the phase-out undermine regulatory credibility and pose grave public health risks.
NAFDAC first announced a gradual withdrawal of sachet-packaged alcohol in 2018 after consultations with key stakeholders and in line with international health standards. That same year, the agency signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and industry groups — including the Association of Food, Beverage & Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN).
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The agreement aimed to eliminate the packaging format, citing its low cost, easy portability, and strong appeal to minors, drivers, and low-income consumers. However, despite the original deadline, the Federal Government in 2024 granted manufacturers an extra year to exhaust old stock and transition to safer packaging, moving the final enforcement date to December 2025.
Senator Ekpeyong cautioned that some producers are lobbying for yet another postponement — a move he said could “erode the integrity of the country’s regulatory institutions” and worsen issues tied to youth addiction, traffic accidents, domestic violence, and school dropouts.
Following debate, lawmakers voted to uphold the existing timeline and directed NAFDAC, alongside other regulatory agencies, to begin full enforcement once the grace period expires. The Senate also called on the Federal Ministry of Health to remove any bureaucratic barriers impeding enforcement efforts.
In addition, senators urged the ministry to expedite the release of a comprehensive National Alcohol Policy that would outlaw high-strength sachet packaging altogether and support nationwide public awareness campaigns.
The Senate’s decision signals a decisive shift toward stricter regulation of alcohol distribution, emphasizing public health and social stability over industry lobbying as the December 2025 deadline approaches.