The National Orientation Agency (NOA), in partnership with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has launched a nationwide campaign to enforce the Federal Government’s ban on sachet alcoholic drinks and alcohol packaged in bottles below 200 millilitres.
The enforcement drive, supported by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), aims to curb underage drinking and protect vulnerable groups from the harmful effects of cheap, high-strength alcohol.
The Federal Government banned the production and sale of alcohol in sachets and in PET or glass bottles under 200ml, effective January 1, 2026.
Ban is a Public Health Intervention — NOA
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, NOA Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, described the ban as a deliberate public health measure.
He said sachet alcohol had become too cheap, portable, and easy to hide, especially in rural and semi-urban communities. According to him, this made it easier for young people to access high-strength alcohol without supervision.
Issa-Onilu warned that early exposure to alcohol increases the risk of addiction and long-term dependency. He added that alcohol abuse contributes to poor academic performance, domestic violence, road crashes and declining productivity.
He stressed that prevention is less costly than managing long-term damage. He said the government has both a constitutional and moral duty to act before harm becomes widespread.
Issa-Onilu explained that NOA would lead the behavioural change aspect of the campaign across the country. With 818 offices nationwide and structures in all 774 local government areas, the agency will take the message directly to communities.
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He said NOA teams would engage youth groups, transport unions, market associations, artisans, schools and faith-based organisations. The campaign will hold in town halls, markets, motor parks and community centres using local languages.
The agency will also use television, radio, digital platforms and social media to spread awareness. It plans to collaborate with influencers who can reach young audiences. In addition, the NOA CLHEEAN App will allow citizens to report violations and support enforcement.
Issa-Onilu called on parents, guardians, community leaders, retailers and distributors to support the policy and ensure full compliance.
NAFDAC Dismisses Claims of Policy Reversal
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, dismissed reports that the National Assembly or the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation had asked for a suspension of the ban.
Adeyeye, who described such reports as false, explained that the Senate passed resolutions on November 6, 2025, and forwarded them to the SGF on December 1, 2025. She said the resolutions urged NAFDAC not to extend the moratorium and to enforce the ban strictly.
According to her, the Senate also asked the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to support the enforcement. It further urged the ministry to release the national alcohol policy, which includes restrictions on small-volume alcohol packaging.
Adeyeye said alcohol remains one of the most widely abused substances among Nigerian youths. She noted that studies show rising production, importation and consumption across age groups in recent decades.
She warned that easy access to sachet alcohol fuels underage drinking. She added that small packs make it easier for minors to conceal alcohol.
Adeyeye linked underage drinking to liver and kidney damage, hypertension, hormone disruption and increased cancer risk later in life. She stressed that limiting access to small, concealable packs would reduce abuse among children.
“We are here to ensure that the ban on sachet alcohol and alcohol in bottles below 200ml remains in place,” she said. “This is about protecting our future.”
FCCPC Backs Strict Enforcement
The FCCPC pledged full support for the enforcement process. The commission said it would work closely with NAFDAC to ensure compliance and protect underage consumers.
Officials said safeguarding children from harmful products is a shared national responsibility.
The agencies described the campaign as a unified effort that combines regulation, consumer protection and public education.
They stressed that the goal is not restriction for its own sake, but protection of children and vulnerable populations.
With enforcement now underway, authorities say they will not relent in promoting responsible consumption and safeguarding public health across Nigeria.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
