NAFDAC Begins Nationwide Crackdown On Sachet Alcohol, Says Ban Is ‘Most Effective’ Shield Against Underage Drinking
In many Nigerian neighbourhoods, alcohol now costs less than a bottle of water, and fits easily into a school bag. Health authorities say that quiet reality is fuelling a dangerous surge in underage drinking.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched full nationwide enforcement of its ban on alcoholic beverages sold in sachets and small-volume PET bottles, describing the move as the single most effective step to curb youth access to alcohol.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the policy was backed by “compelling evidence” that small, easy-to-conceal packaging is a major driver of alcohol consumption among minors.
According to a 2021 nationwide survey conducted in collaboration with the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, 54.3 per cent of minors and underage individuals obtained alcohol independently, while nearly half purchased sachets or small bottles directly from retailers.
Alarmingly, children as young as nine were found to be consuming alcohol.
The study, which sampled 1,788 respondents across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, revealed that almost 50 per cent of children consume alcohol.
Among minors who bought alcohol themselves, nearly half chose sachets specifically because they are easier to hide.
About 11.7 per cent of underage children admitted to binge drinking, with Gombe State recording the highest incidence, while Lagos and Rivers states showed the highest overall consumption rates.
Adeyeye warned that early alcohol use exposes children to long-term risks, including liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, mental health disorders and broader social consequences that could derail their futures.
The enforcement will be carried out jointly with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). Market sweeps have begun, with officials set to seize non-compliant products and prosecute violators.
The crackdown follows protests and resistance from some industry stakeholders concerned about livelihoods.
However, NAFDAC insists its statutory duty to safeguard public health, particularly that of children, outweighs commercial interests.
As Nigeria battles rising substance abuse among adolescents, the agency has urged parents, retailers and communities to support the initiative and report violations.
The message from regulators is clear: small sachets may be cheap and discreet, but the cost to Nigeria’s future could be devastating.
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