06, November 2025
The Senate has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant agencies to strictly enforce the ban on high-strength alcoholic beverages in sachet formats starting December 2025.
The Senate also resolved that no further extensions will be granted beyond the current deadline.
This decision follows the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, who emphasized the need to protect public health and prevent the exploitation of vulnerable groups, particularly children and young people.
The Senator noted that NAFDAC had, in 2018, initiated a phased ban on the importation, manufacture, and distribution of alcoholic beverages in sachets, in collaboration with industry stakeholders.
The ban was prompted by concerns over the health and social impacts of these products, including addiction, road accidents, and domestic violence.
Despite the initial deadline, manufacturers were granted a one-year extension to exhaust existing stock and transition to compliant packaging alternatives.
However, Senator Ekpeyong expressed concerns that some manufacturers are lobbying for another extension, which would undermine regulatory authority and threaten public health.
The Senate has now directed NAFDAC to enforce the ban strictly and instructed the Federal Ministry of Health to remove any obstacles hindering NAFDAC’s enforcement efforts.
Additionally, the Senate has asked the Ministry of Health to expedite the release of the National Alcohol Policy, which should prohibit sachet packaging of high-strength alcoholic beverages and support public sensitization efforts
Key actions taken by the Senate:
– *Strict enforcement of ban*: NAFDAC and other agencies are directed to enforce the ban on high-strength alcoholic beverages in sachet formats starting December 2025.
– *No further extensions*: The Senate has resolved that no additional extensions will be granted beyond the current deadline.
– *Support for NAFDAC*: The Federal Ministry of Health is instructed to remove any impediments preventing NAFDAC from carrying out its enforcement responsibilities.
– *National Alcohol Policy*: The Ministry of Health is asked to expedite the release of the National Alcohol Policy, which should prohibit sachet packaging of high-strength alcoholic beverages and support public sensitization efforts.
