No Return on Sachet Alcohol Ban - NAFDAC

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The Debate Over Sachet Alcohol Ban in Nigeria

The ongoing debate over the ban on sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging in Nigeria has sparked significant controversy between regulatory authorities and industry stakeholders. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has recently resumed its enforcement of the ban, which prohibits the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET/glass bottles below 200ml. This move has been met with strong criticism from the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), which views it as a misstep that could have far-reaching economic and governance implications.

According to NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the renewed enforcement aligns with recent directives from the Nigerian Senate and is aimed at protecting public health, particularly the well-being of children, adolescents, and young adults. She argues that the availability of high-alcohol-content beverages in small containers has contributed to widespread misuse and addiction among minors and commercial drivers. Adeyeye emphasizes that the ban is not punitive but rather a protective measure designed to safeguard the future of the nation’s youth.

However, NECA has raised concerns about the potential negative impacts of the ban on the economy and business operations. The association warns that policies that ignore scientific evidence, economic realities, and regulatory coherence may do more harm than good. According to NECA’s Director-General, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, the continued enforcement of the ban is disrupting legitimate businesses, jeopardizing jobs, and undermining investor confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory environment.

Oyerinde highlights that the wine and spirits value chain supports numerous direct and indirect jobs across various sectors, including manufacturing, packaging, distribution, transportation, retail, and agriculture. He argues that sudden regulatory changes threaten livelihoods, reduce government revenue, and create uncertainty in the policy landscape. Instead of implementing blanket bans, he advocates for evidence-based regulation that addresses the root causes of underage access to alcohol and illicit substance abuse.

One of the key points raised by NECA is that the targeted products—sachet and small-volume alcohol—have undergone rigorous testing, registration, and revalidation under NAFDAC’s own procedures. These products fall within internationally recognized ranges for alcohol content and are clearly labeled with their ABV. Oyerinde stresses that eliminating these formats without presenting new scientific evidence raises questions about regulatory consistency and fairness.

He also points out that sachet and small pack formats serve an important role in meeting the needs of adult consumers who make low-value, daily purchases. Eliminating them could push consumers toward informal and unregulated alternatives, increasing public health risks while shrinking the formal economy. Additionally, he expresses concern that NAFDAC’s actions contradict previous directives from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the House of Representatives, which called for restraint and broader stakeholder engagement.

Despite its criticisms, NECA remains committed to protecting minors and ensuring the removal of unsafe products from the market. However, it argues that the current approach is misdirected, as it disproportionately targets compliant manufacturers while failing to address the real drivers of underage access and the growing challenge of illicit substance abuse.

Oyerinde emphasizes that underage access to alcohol is primarily an enforcement issue, not a packaging issue. He calls for stricter licensing, compliance checks, and sanctions for retailers who fail to enforce age restrictions. At the same time, he suggests that environmental concerns related to plastic waste should be addressed through improved waste management systems and extended producer responsibility mechanisms, rather than through selective product bans.

In conclusion, NECA urges the immediate suspension of the ongoing enforcement actions and a return to structured, evidence-based dialogue involving regulators, industry representatives, public health experts, and consumer advocates. The association believes that the focus should be on strengthening retail-level enforcement, expanding public education on responsible consumption, intensifying action against illicit drugs and unregistered alcohol, and developing practical environmental solutions through collaboration rather than prohibition.