The Federal Government has halted the enforcement of the sachet alcohol ban across Nigeria.
The directive was issued to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) with immediate effect.
The government also warned the agency to stop sealing factories and warehouses linked to sachet alcohol production.
The decision to suspend the sachet alcohol ban was confirmed in a statement released in Abuja. The statement was issued by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Terrence Kuanum.
According to the statement, the action followed a joint intervention by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the ongoing ban on sachet alcohol are to be suspended pending the final consultations and implementation of the National Alcohol Policy and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement read.
The government stressed that while the National Alcohol Policy had been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health, enforcement must wait. However, it insisted that NAFDAC must refrain from further actions until full implementation guidelines are in place.
Measures such as factory shutdowns and warehouse sealing have therefore been stopped.
Officials argued that continued enforcement without a harmonised framework was already causing economic strain.
Jobs were said to be affected, and supply chains disrupted nationwide. Meanwhile, concerns were raised that informal distribution networks could become unstable.
The statement described the situation as a “de facto ban” that could worsen unemployment. Moreover, it warned that security challenges might arise if enforcement continued unchecked.
This directive reinforces an earlier order issued in December 2025. At that time, actions relating to the sachet alcohol ban were suspended pending consultations.
Furthermore, the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control had earlier raised concerns. A letter dated November 13, 2025, referenced NASS/10/HR/CT.53/77, questioned NAFDAC’s enforcement approach.
The Federal Government said legislative resolutions, public health concerns, and economic factors are currently under review. Therefore, a final decision will be announced after consultations.
However, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, had previously warned about rising alcohol abuse. She stated that sachet packaging contributed to increased consumption.
The FG halt of the sachet alcohol ban has now shifted focus back to policy coordination. As discussions continue, stakeholders await clarity on the future of alcohol regulation in Nigeria.
