After this date, the full enforcement of the ban will commence.
By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified its stance regarding the nationwide ban on sachet alcohol.
Mr Kenneth Azikiwe, Director of the FCT Directorate of the agency, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday, May 19, 2025, that the temporary lifting of the ban was only valid until December 31, 2025.
He emphasised that the recent ministerial lifting of the ban was not permanent and urged the public to disregard misinformation suggesting that the government had permanently lifted the restriction.
“There is a ministerial lifting on the ban of sachet alcohol, but it is only temporary and will be reviewed by Dec. 31, 2025.
“After this date, the full enforcement of the ban will commence.
“The minister granted this temporary relief to allow manufacturers and regulators time to collaborate and ensure a more structured and effective implementation of the ban,” Azikiwe stated.”
He highlighted NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to sensitise the public across the country, noting that awareness campaigns had reached every state.
“We have sensitised distributors, and we’ve emphasised that alcohol should not be sold to individuals under the age of 18, which is also clearly indicated on product labels,” he added.
Azikiwe also commended the Distillers and Beverages Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) for supporting the awareness drive.
He reassured the public that NAFDAC remained fully committed to regulating alcohol consumption and reiterated that sachet alcohol products containing less than 200 milliliters would be phased out after Dec. 2025.
NAFDAC Clarifies Sachet Alcohol Ban: Temporary Lifting Ends December 2025
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that the recent lifting of the ban on sachet alcohol is only temporary and will remain in effect until December 31, 2025.
Mr. Kenneth Azikiwe, Director of the FCT Directorate of NAFDAC, made the announcement in Abuja on Monday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He explained that the move should not be interpreted as a permanent reversal of the earlier prohibition.
“There is a ministerial lifting on the ban of sachet alcohol, but it is only temporary and will be reviewed by Dec. 31, 2025,” Azikiwe said. “After this date, the full enforcement of the ban will commence.”
According to him, the temporary relief was granted to allow both manufacturers and regulators time to collaborate on a smoother and more structured rollout of the ban.
Azikiwe also addressed the spread of misinformation suggesting that the ban had been permanently lifted. He urged the public to disregard such claims and emphasized that regulatory enforcement would resume in full after the grace period ends.
He noted that NAFDAC had already launched public sensitisation campaigns across the country and had reached all 36 states. The agency has also been engaging distributors, reiterating that the sale of alcohol to anyone under 18 years old remains strictly prohibited.
“We have sensitised distributors, and we’ve emphasised that alcohol should not be sold to individuals under the age of 18, which is also clearly indicated on product labels,” Azikiwe added.
He commended the Distillers and Beverages Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) for its cooperation and support in the nationwide awareness drive.
Azikiwe reassured the public of NAFDAC’s continued commitment to regulating alcohol consumption and confirmed that sachet alcohol products under 200 milliliters would be phased out completely after the December 2025 deadline.