NAFDAC, NOA, FCCPC Launch Nationwide Campaign to Enforce Ban on Sachet Alcohol

T The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has officially launched a nationwide campaign to strengthen enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages in bottles smaller than 200 millilitres.

The joint initiative, flagged off on March 3, 2026, is part of the Federal Government’s intensified efforts to curb underage drinking and safeguard public health across the country.

Speaking at a joint press briefing, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the campaign is driven by the urgent need to protect Nigerian children from the dangers of alcohol abuse.

“Citing findings from a 2021 nationwide survey, 54.3 per cent of minors were able to obtain alcohol independently, with many purchasing sachet and small-bottle products,” she disclosed. “Early exposure to alcohol poses serious risks, including addiction, poor academic outcomes, and long-term health complications.”

Prof. Adeyeye reiterated that manufacturers were granted a five-year moratorium in 2018 to transition away from sachet alcohol production, after which enforcement resumed in line with regulatory directives. She stressed that the ban remains fully in force as a critical public health measure.

“The ban on sachet alcohol and small-volume alcoholic beverages remains fully in force as a critical public health measure aimed at safeguarding the future of Nigerian children,” she stated.

Also speaking, the Director-General of NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, described the campaign as a preventive intervention focused on reducing access to cheap, high-strength alcohol among vulnerable populations.

“We will leverage our nationwide structure across all 774 local government areas to drive awareness through community engagement, schools, markets, religious institutions, and media platforms,” Issa-Onilu said. “The NOA CLHEEAN App will also be deployed to enable citizens to report violations and support enforcement efforts.”

The three agencies called on parents, community leaders, retailers, and the general public to support the campaign and comply strictly with the ban, reaffirming that protecting children from harmful substances is a shared responsibility essential to building a healthier and more productive nation.