REPS MOVE TO STRENGTHEN ALCOHOL REGULATION, PUSH FOR NATIONAL CONTROL FRAMEWORK
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By; Ganiyat Sunmola
The House of Representatives has begun efforts to create a comprehensive national framework aimed at regulating alcohol consumption in Nigeria, as lawmakers move to tackle the growing social and public health challenges linked to substance abuse.
The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Control, Regulation and Reduction of Alcohol-Related Harm in Nigeria,” is sponsored by the Chairman of the House Adhoc Committee on Drug Trafficking, Tobacco and Alcohol Abuse, Oluwatimehin Adelegbe.
The bill, which has passed first reading, seeks to regulate the production, importation, distribution, advertising, marketing, and consumption of alcoholic beverages, while also introducing stronger protections for minors and vulnerable groups.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Adelegbe said the proposed law was aimed at addressing increasing concerns over alcohol abuse and its effects on public health, security, road safety, domestic violence, and youth development.
According to him, the bill is not intended to ban alcohol but to promote responsible consumption and strengthen public protection through a modern regulatory framework.
He explained that the legislation followed consultations with government agencies, public health experts, civil society organisations, and stakeholders in the alcohol industry.
Adelegbe noted that the bill seeks to balance public health concerns with the interests of manufacturers and distributors operating within the sector.
He also revealed that technical contributions to the bill came from A New Thing International Foundation, led by Ambassador Kenneth Anetor, who serves as Lead Consultant to the House Committee on Drug Trafficking, Tobacco and Alcohol Abuse.
If passed into law, the legislation would establish a national alcohol control framework, tighten regulations on alcohol advertising and access—especially for underage persons—strengthen public awareness campaigns, improve enforcement mechanisms, and align Nigeria’s alcohol policies with international public health standards.
The lawmaker urged stakeholders in the alcoholic beverage industry to participate actively in the legislative process as the bill advances through committee reviews and public hearings.
He said the involvement of industry players would help ensure that the final legal framework remains balanced, effective, and sustainable.
The move comes amid growing concerns from health experts, law enforcement agencies, and advocacy groups over the rising rate of alcohol and substance abuse in Nigeria, particularly among young people.
Stakeholders have repeatedly called for a coordinated national policy, warning that weak regulations and fragmented laws have contributed to unchecked advertising, easy access to alcohol by minors, and poor enforcement of existing rules.
Public health experts argue that increasing cases of addiction, drunk driving, violent crimes, and mental health disorders linked to substance abuse require a more preventive and structured national response.
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