FG FLAGS OFF NATIONAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST SACHET, SMALL-BOTTLE ALCOHOL
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Federal Government on Tuesday officially launched a nationwide enforcement and public enlightenment campaign on the ban of alcoholic beverages sold in sachets and small PET and glass bottles below 200 millilitres.
The campaign, held in Abuja, was organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The ban, which took effect on January 1, 2026, targets the production, distribution, and sale of alcohol in sachets and bottles smaller than 200ml, aiming to curb underage drinking and harmful consumption patterns.
Speaking at the briefing, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye said the enforcement follows years of consultations, extensions, and survey findings revealing alarming levels of alcohol consumption among minors.
“About 50 per cent of our children drink alcohol, and nearly half obtain drinks in sachets because they are easy to conceal,” she said, warning that underage drinking could cause long-term brain damage, learning deficits, and escalate to drug abuse. Adeyeye stressed that alcohol abuse is linked to broader societal issues including banditry and kidnapping.
The DG explained that discussions on regulating sachet alcohol began in 2018, and former Ministers of Health granted trade groups a five-year moratorium to restructure, which ended in 2024. Surveys also revealed that children as young as nine were consuming alcohol, often engaging in binge drinking.
Also speaking, Lanre Issa-Onilu described the campaign as a collective effort to protect Nigerians, emphasising the need for parents, community leaders, retailers, and distributors to comply.
“With 818 offices nationwide covering all 774 local government areas, we will ensure that this message reaches every community,” he said, adding that consumer protection is national responsibility.
The initiative signals the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health, particularly among youths, and ensuring compliance with the new alcohol regulations.
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