NAFDAC-bans-alcoholic-beverages
Iyunade Grace
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) have launched a nationwide campaign to enforce the ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages in bottles smaller than 200 milliliters. This initiative aims to reduce underage access to cheap, high-concentration alcohol and curb harmful consumption patterns across communities.
The campaign involves deploying NOA’s 818 offices across the country to drive behavioral change and public enlightenment. Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers will engage youth groups, market associations, transport unions, schools, faith-based institutions, and community leaders through town hall meetings, market outreaches, and multilingual advocacy.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, referenced a 2021 national survey that revealed over 54% of minors and underaged persons purchase alcohol themselves, with nearly half accessing it through sachet packs and small PET bottles. This alarming trend underscores the urgency of the ban.
The ban, effective January 1, 2026, prohibits the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET or glass bottles below 200ml. NOA Director-General Lanre Issa-Onilu emphasized that the initiative goes beyond the three agencies, involving the media as partners in safeguarding the nation.
The campaign will utilize radio and television engagement, digital platforms, and influencers to spread awareness. The NOA CLHEEAN App will enable citizens to report violations and support enforcement efforts.
Adeyeye warned that early alcohol consumption can damage brain development, increase addiction risk, and contribute to liver and kidney disease, mental health disorders, and heightened cancer risk later in life. Youth who begin drinking before age 15 are 41% more likely to become dependent on alcohol.
The agencies call on parents, community leaders, retailers, and the public to support compliance, stressing that protecting children from harmful substances remains a shared responsibility.
The nationwide campaign reflects the government’s commitment to addressing alcohol abuse among minors and promoting responsible consumption standards.
