FG Halts Sachet Alcohol Ban, Orders NAFDAC to Stand Down Over Security Concerns
The Federal Government has ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to immediately suspend enforcement of the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages packaged in small PET bottles, citing mounting security and economic concerns.
Global Mirror News gathered that the directive was issued following high-level consultations involving the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The decision effectively places a halt on all regulatory actions connected to the ban, including factory shutdowns, sealing of warehouses, and enforcement-related sanctions.
According to officials familiar with the development, the Federal Government expressed concern that the ongoing enforcement could trigger job losses, social dislocation, and security challenges, particularly among low-income earners and informal sector operators who depend on the sachet alcohol value chain for their livelihoods.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, the Government clarified that any enforcement action taken without express clearance from the SGF’s office should be considered null and void.
The statement added that regulatory interventions must align with broader National Security and Economic stability considerations.
The sachet alcohol ban, announced by NAFDAC as part of efforts to curb alcohol abuse and protect public health, had drawn criticism from manufacturers, distributors, and labour groups.
Industry stakeholders warned that abrupt enforcement could destabilise investments worth Billions of Naira and affect millions of jobs Nationwide.
Global Mirror News reports that lawmakers in the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drug Administration and Control had also intervened, urging the executive to suspend the ban pending the full implementation of a National Alcohol Policy and wider stakeholder consultations.
The Federal Government stressed that it remains committed to public health objectives but insists that such policies must be well-coordinated, inclusive, and security-conscious.
Authorities confirmed that discussions with regulators, industry players, and other relevant agencies are ongoing to determine a balanced framework for alcohol regulation in Nigeria.
For now, NAFDAC has been directed to maintain the status quo until further notice, as the Government works toward a unified and sustainable policy approach.
