The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has clarified that it has not shut down any alcohol producing company while enforcing the ban on alcoholic drinks in sachets and small containers below 200 millilitres.
The agency said the enforcement, backed by a recent Senate resolution and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is aimed at protecting public health, especially children, adolescents and young adults, from harmful alcohol use.
NAFDAC Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, explained that the action targets only alcohol packaged in sachets and containers smaller than 200ml, not manufacturers themselves. “NAFDAC did not close down any company that makes alcohol. The agency only bans alcohol in sachets and small containers less than 200ml,” she said.
She stressed that the policy is a public health intervention, not a punishment. “This ban is not punitive; it is protective. It is aimed at safeguarding the health and future of our children and youth by not allowing alcohol in small pack sizes,” she added.
Adeyeye said the decision is based on scientific evidence and public health data, noting that the country cannot continue to trade citizens’ wellbeing for economic benefits. According to her, the health of the population is a nation’s real wealth.
She noted that the easy access to strong alcoholic drinks in sachets and small bottles has fuelled alcohol misuse among minors and some commercial drivers. This trend, she said, has been linked to rising cases of domestic violence, road crashes, school dropouts and other social problems in many communities.
The NAFDAC boss explained that simply labelling such products as “not for children” is ineffective in Nigeria’s context. She argued that many parents are unaware their children consume alcohol in sachets because the packs are cheap, easy to hide and difficult to monitor.
Adeyeye recalled that producers were given several years to adjust. In December 2018, NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission signed a five year agreement with manufacturers’ groups to phase out sachet and small volume alcohol packaging by January 31, 2024.
The grace period was later extended to December 2025 to allow companies to clear existing stock and reconfigure their production lines. She said this long moratorium shows that the industry had ample time to prepare.
Adeyeye added that the Senate resolution aligns with Nigeria’s commitments under the World Health Assembly’s Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol. She said the ban on sachets and PET bottles below 200ml is meant to make it harder for children to access alcohol.
She stressed that NAFDAC still approves alcohol in larger pack sizes. The problem, she said, is that the small packs make it too easy for underage users to buy and conceal alcohol from parents and teachers.
The DG emphasised that the regulation applies only to sachets and containers under 200ml and urged manufacturers, distributors and retailers to fully comply. She ruled out any further extension beyond December 2025 and said NAFDAC will continue public sensitisation in partnership with relevant agencies.
About the author
INEC dismisses reports of revised 2027 campaign timetable
The Independent National Electoral Commission has dismissed reports circulating online that it has revised the campaign timetable for the 2027 general elections, describing the viral graphic as fake. INEC said the document making the rounds on social media did not originate from the commission and should be disregarded by the public. The commission explained that it does not issue campaign timetables separately, as all official campaign dates are already included in the revised timetable and schedule of activities released on February 26, 2026. According to the existing schedule, campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections are due to begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will start on September 9, 2026. The timetable also sets January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and February 6, 2027, for governorship and state assembly polls. […]
2027: I won’t let you tie me down, we’ll wrestle to finish — Tinubu warns opposition
President Bola Tinubu has warned opposition figures that he will not allow them to “tie” him down politically ahead of the 2027 general election, saying the contest will be fought to the finish. Tinubu made the statement on Tuesday during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at the State House in Abuja. He said he had asked for the job and was prepared for the political battle, but would not offer opponents “a red carpet.” “I’m ready, but I won’t give them a red carpet. I won’t offer them the leash to tie me and rope me. No, we wrestle each other to the finishing point,” the President said. He also described the Independent National Electoral Commission as neutral and said political opponents should not fear the system if they are confident in their own strength. The […]
FIFA issues deadline to members over plan to sell $4 bn stake
FIFA has given member associations until September 19 to support a plan that would sell a stake in its major competitions, with each member reportedly set to receive $40 million if the proposal goes through.supersport+1 According to reports, FIFA wants to create a new company to run its biggest events, including the World Cup and Club World Cup, and then sell up to 20 or 21 percent of the business to private investors. The move could generate about $4.2 billion, while a broader funding package tied to the project could rise to $10 billion.reuters+4 FIFA president Gianni Infantino has reportedly told member associations that they must decide by September 19 if they want to benefit from the payout. If approved, the plan would represent one of FIFA’s biggest commercial shifts in recent years and could reshape how the body funds […]
Mayorkun reunites with Davido on new song B4 B4
Nigerian singer Mayorkun has teamed up again with Afrobeats star Davido on a new track titled “B4 B4,” ahead of its release on July 31.bellanaija+1 :Mayorkun announced the collaboration on his Instagram page, sharing a promotional photo of himself and Davido with the caption, “New Music! This Friday! ‘B4 B4’ #Oriade.” The song also features Fola and appears on Davido’s 13-track album Oriadé, which is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026. The reunion has generated excitement among fans because it marks another major link-up between the two artistes after previous collaborations that helped shape their careers in the Nigerian music scene. Davido’s tracklist also includes features from Black Sherif, Aya Nakamura, Leon Thomas, Llona, NO11, Jazzwrld and GL_Ceejay
BBNaija: ‘Step up your game’ — Sheba mocks Tram’s toasting skills
Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemate, Sheba, has told fellow housemate and admirer, Tram, to improve his toasting skills after he admitted he’d been trying to flirt with her since they entered the house During a late‑night conversation, Sheba showed Tram photos of her son, prompting him to ask if she had a child. On learning she is a single mother, Tram jokingly said, “I have been toasting someone’s mother?”dailypost+1 Sheba responded by teasing him about his weak flirting game, saying: “If that thing you’re doing is toasting, you need to step up your game.” She added that his moves had been so subtle, she didn’t even realise he had been trying to woo her since the show began.dailypost+1 The light‑hearted exchange has already started trending among fans, who see it as one of the early highlights of the “Show […]
Xenophobia: Federal Govt demands justice from S’Africa
The Federal Government has asked South Africa to bring to justice those responsible for recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals, warning that patience is wearing thin over repeated killings and weak accountability.reuters+2 In recent statements and diplomatic engagements, Abuja has pressed Pretoria to identify, arrest and prosecute individuals behind mob and hate‑related violence targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians. Nigerian officials say at least 98 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since 2022, describing the pattern of attacks as unacceptable for two countries that share deep historical ties.reuters+2 The government has formally demanded “thorough and impartial investigations” into specific cases, including the deaths of two Nigerians earlier this year, and requested full disclosure of findings to ensure justice for victims and their families. It has also called for access to autopsy reports, case files and other legal […]
Related
INEC dismisses reports of revised 2027 campaign timetable
The Independent National Electoral Commission has dismissed reports circulating online that it has revised the campaign timetable for the 2027 general elections, describing the viral graphic as fake. INEC said the document making the rounds on social media did not originate from the commission and should be disregarded by the public. The commission explained that it does not issue campaign timetables separately, as all official campaign dates are already included in the revised timetable and schedule of activities released on February 26, 2026. According to the existing schedule, campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections are due to begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will start on September 9, 2026. The timetable also sets January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and February 6, 2027, for governorship and state assembly polls. […]
2027: I won’t let you tie me down, we’ll wrestle to finish — Tinubu warns opposition
President Bola Tinubu has warned opposition figures that he will not allow them to “tie” him down politically ahead of the 2027 general election, saying the contest will be fought to the finish. Tinubu made the statement on Tuesday during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at the State House in Abuja. He said he had asked for the job and was prepared for the political battle, but would not offer opponents “a red carpet.” “I’m ready, but I won’t give them a red carpet. I won’t offer them the leash to tie me and rope me. No, we wrestle each other to the finishing point,” the President said. He also described the Independent National Electoral Commission as neutral and said political opponents should not fear the system if they are confident in their own strength. The […]
Xenophobia: Federal Govt demands justice from S’Africa
The Federal Government has asked South Africa to bring to justice those responsible for recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals, warning that patience is wearing thin over repeated killings and weak accountability.reuters+2 In recent statements and diplomatic engagements, Abuja has pressed Pretoria to identify, arrest and prosecute individuals behind mob and hate‑related violence targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians. Nigerian officials say at least 98 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since 2022, describing the pattern of attacks as unacceptable for two countries that share deep historical ties.reuters+2 The government has formally demanded “thorough and impartial investigations” into specific cases, including the deaths of two Nigerians earlier this year, and requested full disclosure of findings to ensure justice for victims and their families. It has also called for access to autopsy reports, case files and other legal […]
Dangote’s heirs back plan to donate one-third of wealth to charity
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, plans to leave roughly one-third of his wealth to charitable causes, with his family publicly backing the arrangement, his daughter Halima Dangote has said. Halima Dangote, a trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, said the plan was important to her father and had already been discussed with the family. She disclosed that Dangote asked his three daughters and his mother to sign the will so that 33% of his wealth could be committed to “humanity Reports estimate the amount involved at more than $11 billion to $12 billion, based on Dangote’s current net worth of about $35 billion to $36.5 billion. The plan is said to align with Islamic inheritance principles and reflect Dangote’s long-standing belief that giving back is part of business success.africa. The donation would further strengthen the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which already […]
Xenophobia: Minister meets S’African envoy after Tinubu snub
Tinubu had been expected to hold talks with the special envoy sent by President Cyril Ramaphosa, but Presidency sources said he directed the team to meet Enikanolaiye instead, in what has been widely interpreted as a diplomatic snub. The President’s stance follows fresh outbreaks of violence in South Africa, where Nigerians and other African nationals have been targeted in what Abuja describes as “Afrophobic attacks”.naijanews+4 During Monday’s meeting in Abuja, Enikanolaiye delivered a strong message on behalf of the Nigerian government, demanding urgent and concrete action from Pretoria to stop recurring assaults on its citizens. He told Lamola that official records show at least 98 Nigerians have been killed in mob and hate-related incidents in South Africa since 2022, and accused local authorities of failing to adequately prosecute perpetrators or dismantle networks behind the violence.nairametrics+1 The minister also raised concerns […]
How PFIPC was created — Accountant‑General
Appearing before the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee probing the PFIPC scandal, Ogunjimi said his office first came in contact with the council in November 2024, when it received a correspondence that appeared to originate from the State House. The letter, dated November 7, 2024 and bearing a State House reference, requested the creation of an administrative code for the PFIPC to enable budgeting, accounting and financial reporting. He explained that, following standard government procedures, the Office of the Accountant‑General processed the request and approved the creation of the administrative code, believing the document to be genuine because it was written on State House letterhead. The approval was then communicated back to the State House and copied to the Office of the Auditor‑General and the Budget Office of the Federation. Ogunjimi told lawmakers that subsequent investigations later showed the […]