BY UCHECHI OKPORIE
The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered the Nationals Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to immediately suspend all enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages in 200 ml PET bottles, in a move driven by concerns over economic disruption and potential security challenges.
In a statement issued by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the government said enforcement actions, including sealing factories and warehouses should stop until the National Alcohol Policy is fully implemented and further directives are issued.
The ban policy, which had been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been at the center of a heated debate between regulators, lawmakers, industry groups, and public health advocates.
However, regulators were warned that ongoing enforcement without a harmonized framework was creating economic strain, threatening jobs, and risking unrest in communities that depend on the affected trade networks.
The government’s directive also referenced correspondence from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, which underscored existing legislative resolutions opposed to enforcement actions taken so far.
NAFDAC’s earlier efforts to enforce the ban had faced strong pushback from industry associations and labor groups, who cautioned that the restrictions could undermine investments and livelihoods connected to the production and distribution of sachet alcohol products.
The suspension order marks a temporary pause in a wider policy discussion that balances public health objectives with broader economic and social considerations.
A final and comprehensive decision on the ban’s implementation is expected once policy consultations are concluded and a clear regulatory framework is in place.
