Senate Upholds Deadline for Sachet Alcohol Ban
The Senate has issued a directive to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ensure that the December 31, 2025 deadline for the prohibition of alcohol in sachets is not extended. This decision was made following a motion of urgent national importance introduced by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC/Cross River South) during Thursday’s plenary session.
Global Standards and Regulatory Compliance
In presenting the motion, Ekpenyong emphasized that the directive aligns with global regulatory standards and international best practices aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm among Nigerians. He highlighted that in 2018, several key stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), NAFDAC, and industry bodies such as the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to gradually phase out sachet and small-bottle alcoholic drinks.
Extension and Market Challenges
Ekpenyong explained that the Federal Government had previously granted a one-year moratorium in 2024 to allow manufacturers to exhaust existing stock and transition to compliant packaging alternatives. However, he expressed concern that some manufacturers were lobbying for another extension, which he warned would undermine regulatory authority, endanger public health, and perpetuate the circulation of harmful alcoholic products in the market.
“As the December 2025 deadline approaches, certain manufacturers are lobbying for another extension, thereby undermining the regulatory process and jeopardizing public health,” Ekpenyong said. “We cannot continue to expose our youths to cheap, easily accessible alcohol that destroys lives and endangers public safety.”
Public Health and Social Impact
He further pointed out that the continued availability of high-strength alcoholic beverages in sachet form has contributed to addiction, impaired cognitive development, school dropouts, domestic violence, and increased road accidents, particularly among commercial drivers and young people.
Uneven Market Conditions
Ekpenyong also noted that manufacturers who had complied in good faith were now at a disadvantage against those who continued to produce non-compliant products, creating an uneven market. This imbalance, he argued, could hinder fair competition and discourage responsible production practices.
Following extensive deliberation, lawmakers who supported the motion commended Ekpenyong for raising the issue, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement and public sensitization. Senator Anthony Ani (Ebonyi South) backed the call, describing the easy availability of cheap alcohol as a growing social menace.
“The easy availability of cheap alcohol is fueling social vices. We must act now to save our young generation from self-destruction,” he said.
Senate President’s Endorsement
On his part, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, described the resolution as a timely step toward safeguarding public health and youth welfare. He urged NAFDAC to ensure full enforcement of the ban by December 2025, warning that any further extension would undermine Nigeria’s anti-substance abuse efforts.
“This is a matter of urgency. The agency must act decisively to protect Nigerians, especially our young people, from the dangers of unregulated alcohol consumption.”