Senate Orders NAFDAC To End Sachet Alcohol Sales By December 2025 As Lawmakers Reject Further Delay

 

The Nigerian Senate has issued a strong directive to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), ordering the agency to enforce a complete ban on the production, importation, and sale of high-strength alcoholic beverages in sachet packs starting from December 2025. Lawmakers made it clear that there will be no additional grace period or extension beyond the existing moratorium granted to manufacturers.

During Thursday’s plenary session, the upper legislative chamber adopted a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, who expressed deep concern over ongoing lobbying efforts by some alcohol producers seeking yet another postponement. The senator described such moves as a direct challenge to Nigeria’s regulatory framework and a serious threat to public health and safety. He reminded the Senate that the decision to phase out sachet-packaged alcoholic drinks was reached after extensive consultation with stakeholders and aligned with international best practices on alcohol control.

Senator Ekpeyong highlighted that NAFDAC had, several years earlier, embarked on a phased withdrawal process in collaboration with major industry associations and government agencies. The measure, he said, was prompted by the alarming rate at which sachet-packaged alcoholic beverages were being consumed by underage individuals, commercial vehicle operators, and low-income earners. According to him, the affordability and portability of the products had made them dangerously accessible to vulnerable groups, resulting in rising addiction rates and other negative social consequences.

The senator reminded colleagues that in 2018, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was jointly signed by NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and industry groups such as the Association of Food, Beverage & Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN). The agreement set out a five-year plan to gradually eliminate the production and distribution of alcohol in sachet packages. The initiative was designed to protect young people from the growing menace of substance abuse and to reduce alcohol-related incidents such as road accidents, domestic violence, and health complications.

Despite the MoU’s expiration, the Federal Government had in 2024 granted a one-year extension to manufacturers to allow them to clear existing stock and upgrade their production systems to comply with the new packaging standards. That extension is due to end in December 2025, a date which the Senate has now reaffirmed as final.

Senator Ekpeyong lamented that despite the long transition period, some producers have continued to resist compliance, instead lobbying for further concessions. He warned that succumbing to such pressure would weaken regulatory credibility and embolden industries that prioritize profit over public welfare. The senator also emphasized that sachet-packaged alcohol remains a major contributor to social instability, noting its links to reckless behavior, violence, addiction among youth, and a sharp increase in school dropout rates.

Lawmakers across party lines supported the motion, describing the enforcement of the ban as a necessary step toward protecting the moral and physical health of the population. Several senators observed that the proliferation of small-sized alcoholic beverages had made it easier for young people to consume alcohol unnoticed, especially in schools and motor parks. They also pointed to the growing evidence connecting such products to traffic accidents involving commercial drivers who drink while on duty.

The Senate, in its resolution, directed the Federal Ministry of Health to provide all necessary support to NAFDAC in ensuring that the ban is fully implemented without hindrance. The ministry was also urged to eliminate any bureaucratic or legal barriers that might delay the enforcement process. Furthermore, lawmakers called on the Ministry to fast-track the approval and release of the long-awaited National Alcohol Policy. The policy, they said, should clearly define regulations on alcohol packaging, labeling, and distribution while promoting public education campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption.

Stakeholders in the beverage industry are expected to comply with the Senate’s directive or face strict sanctions once the deadline expires. The upper chamber maintained that protecting Nigerian youth and ensuring responsible alcohol consumption must take precedence over short-term business interests. As the December 2025 deadline approaches, attention now shifts to how NAFDAC will coordinate with other agencies to ensure that the phase-out process is both effective and permanent.

By reaffirming its stance, the Senate has signaled a firm commitment to enforcing health-driven regulations and curbing the pervasive culture of unregulated alcohol consumption. The decision marks a decisive step toward safeguarding the nation’s future generations and restoring order within Nigeria’s beverage industry.