The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Christianah Adeyeye, has reiterated that the ban on alcohol sold in sachets and small bottles remains firmly in place, insisting that there will be no reversal except through a legislative or legal directive.
Adeyeye stated this on Friday during an unscheduled press briefing at NAFDAC’s Isolo office in Lagos, shortly after alcohol manufacturers staged a protest against the enforcement of the ban.
The protesters, who arrived in white buses and displayed placards, called on the agency to reconsider its position, warning that the policy could trigger job losses and economic strain across the sector.
Addressing journalists after meeting with leaders of the protesters, the NAFDAC boss clarified that the enforcement was not intended as punishment but as a critical public health measure.
“Children are not small adults. Their physiological systems cannot handle alcohol, and early exposure significantly increases the risk of disease, addiction, and social harm. This is why we cannot compromise on enforcement,” Adeyeye said.
She explained that while adults may choose to consume alcohol responsibly, sachets and small bottles—often highly concentrated—are cheap, easily accessible, and widely consumed by children and young people. According to her, this has contributed significantly to alcohol-related health and social challenges, including addiction, road accidents, and crime.
Adeyeye noted that the ban aligns with global health standards and Nigeria’s obligations under Sustainable Development Goal 3.5, which focuses on reducing the harmful use of alcohol. She added that manufacturers were given ample time to prepare, including five years and an additional one-year moratorium.
“We are not banning alcohol,” she emphasised. “Producers still have their licenses to manufacture larger volumes. What we are stopping is the production of small, highly concentrated sachets that put children and the public at risk.”
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Responding to concerns about enforcement at markets and workplaces, the NAFDAC DG said the agency was adopting a considerate approach.
“We do not want to penalise market women or others who unknowingly sell these products. Our focus is on licensed producers who continue to manufacture these dangerous sachets. Once we stop production, the current volumes in circulation will gradually disappear.”
She further warned about the broader consequences of early alcohol exposure, stressing that children who consume alcohol at a young age are more likely to develop substance abuse problems, chronic health conditions, and engage in risky behaviour.
“Even adults consuming high volumes can face severe liver damage and other health risks,” she added.
Adeyeye called on parents, religious institutions, and community leaders to support the enforcement process, stressing that public health must come before profit.
“No Nigerian has the right to make money at the expense of another person’s health. Everyone must cooperate to reduce the burden of alcohol-related harm in our society,” she said.
Meanwhile, NAFDAC’s Director of Enforcement, Mr. Martins Iluyomade, warned that the agency would not hesitate to act against those attempting to undermine the ban.
“We have intelligence reports of individuals and groups trying to destabilise enforcement for profit. Alcohol is a psychoactive substance. It is our duty to protect public health,” he stated.