Federal Government Suspends NAFDAC's Sachet Alcohol Ban Enforcement
The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a significant directive to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), ordering the immediate suspension of all enforcement activities related to the controversial ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic drinks. This decision represents a major policy shift following mounting pressure from various government offices and legislative bodies concerned about the broader implications of the proposed prohibition.
Directive Halts Factory Sealing and Enforcement Actions
According to an official statement released on Wednesday in Abuja by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the federal government has instructed NAFDAC to cease all enforcement measures immediately. This includes stopping the sealing of factories and warehouses that had been targeted as part of the agency's implementation of the alcohol ban policy. The directive specifically mandates that enforcement actions must be suspended pending final consultations and the proper implementation of the National Alcohol Policy framework.
The government's intervention follows concerns raised by both the Office of the SGF and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) regarding the security and economic consequences of continuing with enforcement before establishing a harmonized policy approach. Although the National Alcohol Policy has already been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health in accordance with President Bola Tinubu's directive, the SGF's office and NSA have insisted that NAFDAC must refrain from enforcement until further instructions are formally issued through proper channels.
Security and Economic Implications Drive Policy Reconsideration
The government statement highlighted that continued enforcement actions, described as creating a "de facto ban" without proper policy coordination, had begun to generate significant economic disruptions across multiple sectors. Officials expressed particular concern about potential security risks arising from the impact on employment, supply chains, and informal distribution networks that span the entire country. The involvement of the National Security Adviser underscores that this matter has evolved beyond regulatory considerations to encompass broader national stability concerns.
Kuanum explained that the latest directive reinforces an earlier suspension of enforcement actions that was issued by the SGF's office in December 2025, which had already paused NAFDAC's activities pending comprehensive consultations and a final decision. The government emphasized that premature enforcement without coordinated implementation could exacerbate unemployment challenges and potentially trigger security challenges that would require additional government resources to address effectively.
Legislative and Industry Pressure Influences Government Decision
The SGF's office confirmed receiving formal correspondence from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, dated November 13, 2025. The letter, referenced NASS/10/HR/CT.53/77 and signed by the committee's Deputy Chairman, Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo, expressed serious concerns about NAFDAC's proposed enforcement steps and cited existing National Assembly resolutions on the issue. This legislative intervention added significant weight to the growing calls for policy reconsideration.
Industry stakeholders have been vocal in their opposition to the ban, with the Tobacco Senior Staff Association claiming that over 5 million jobs and 3 trillion naira in investments are threatened by the proposed prohibition. The association has accused NAFDAC Director General Professor Mojisola Adeyeye of pursuing what they describe as a "sinister agenda" to undermine indigenous-owned industries producing wines and spirits. They argue that proper regulation through access control and advocacy represents a more sustainable approach that has been globally accepted, rather than implementing an outright ban that disproportionately affects local producers.
Comprehensive Review Underway Before Final Decision
The federal government has assured Nigerians and industry stakeholders that a final decision will be communicated after thorough consultations and inter-agency coordination. Officials stated they are currently reviewing legislative resolutions, public health considerations, economic implications, and broader national interest factors before reaching any conclusive policy position. The government emphasized that all these elements must be carefully balanced, with public health objectives weighed against economic stability and national security concerns.
This suspension of enforcement actions provides a temporary reprieve for manufacturers and distributors while the government conducts its comprehensive review process. The outcome of these consultations will determine whether Nigeria proceeds with the sachet alcohol ban as originally proposed, modifies the implementation approach, or develops alternative regulatory frameworks that address public health concerns while minimizing economic disruption and security risks.
