The Federal Government has lifted the ban on the production and sale of sachet-sized alcoholic beverages, reversing a previous directive by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) aimed at curbing abuse and underage consumption.
The government has also instructed NAFDAC to immediately halt the sealing of factories and warehouses where sachet-sized alcohol is stored.
This suspension of enforcement measures follows the government’s decision to pause the ongoing ban on sachet alcohol, pending consultations and the implementation of the National Alcohol Policy, along with the issuance of a final directive.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Terrence Kuanum, explained that the order followed a joint intervention by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Both offices raised concerns about the security implications of continuing enforcement in the absence of a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy.
Although the National Alcohol Policy had been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive, the two offices emphasized that NAFDAC must suspend all enforcement actions until the policy is fully implemented and further instructions are provided.
The government noted that measures such as factory shutdowns, warehouse sealings, and public emphasis on the sachet alcohol ban were causing economic disruptions and security risks. These issues were particularly affecting jobs, supply chains, and informal distribution networks across the country.
Kuanum also referenced a prior directive from the SGF’s office in December 2025, which suspended all actions regarding the proposed ban pending consultations and a final decision. Additionally, the SGF’s office had received a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, dated November 13, 2025, expressing concerns over NAFDAC’s enforcement actions and citing National Assembly resolutions on the matter.
The government stated that it is reviewing the legislative resolutions, public health considerations, and economic and national security factors surrounding the issue.
The involvement of the National Security Adviser highlighted that this issue extends beyond regulatory concerns. The government cautioned that premature enforcement without coordinated policy implementation could destabilize communities, exacerbate unemployment, and create security challenges.
The government assured Nigerians and industry stakeholders that a final decision will be communicated following consultations and inter-agency coordination, with a focus on public health, economic stability, and national security.
