The Federal Government has ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to stop enforcing the ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle drinks. The directive followed concerns that continuing the crackdown could harm the economy and worsen security challenges in many communities.
The order came through a joint intervention by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser. Both offices warned that sealing factories and warehouses, without a fully operational National Alcohol Policy, could fuel job losses, disrupt supply chains and threaten social stability.
In a statement signed by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, the government confirmed that the National Alcohol Policy has been signed by the Ministry of Health under President Bola Tinubu’s directive. However, NAFDAC was told not to carry out further enforcement actions until the policy is fully implemented.
The statement noted that the ongoing sealing of warehouses and what it called the de facto banning of sachet alcohol products are already causing serious disruptions. It added that these actions pose growing security risks because of their impact on employment and informal distribution networks nationwide.
The SGF’s office said its position was also guided by a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control dated November 13, 2025. The correspondence, signed by Deputy Chairman Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, reminded the government of existing National Assembly resolutions cautioning against the ban.
Reaffirming an earlier suspension issued in December 2025, the SGF stressed that legislative, public health and economic factors are still being reviewed. It directed that all actions, decisions and enforcement measures linked to the ban be put on hold until consultations are concluded and the National Alcohol Policy is fully in place.
The Federal Government also declared any fresh enforcement steps by NAFDAC on sachet alcohol to be invalid. It urged manufacturers, traders and the public to ignore such actions unless they are clearly approved by the SGF’s office.
According to the statement, a final decision will be announced in due course. The government promised that the outcome will balance public health concerns with national security and economic stability.
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