The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has directed that all enforcement actions relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol products be suspended until further notice.
The directive follows an official correspondence from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control concerning the planned enforcement of the ban by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Terrence Kuanum, on Monday, the OSGF said the correspondence, dated 13 November 2025 and signed by Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Uchenna Okonkwo, is under review. The statement added that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is considering the matter “in line with its statutory coordinating role as Chairman of the Cabinet Secretariat”.
Accordingly, the OSGF “directs that all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the proposed sachet alcohol ban be suspended pending the conclusion of consultations and the issuance of a final directive by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”
The statement further clarified that “any action or enforcement undertaken by NAFDAC or any other agency on this matter without due clearance and resolution by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is of no effect and should be disregarded by the public until a final decision is formally communicated.”
The OSGF assured Nigerians that “all relevant legislative resolutions, economic implications, public health concerns, and broader national interest considerations are being carefully examined to ensure a balanced, lawful, and well-coordinated outcome. The public will be duly informed once a final position has been reached.”
The move comes after NAFDAC announced that the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and bottles smaller than 200 millilitres would be prohibited by December 2025. The agency’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, said the decision was aimed at addressing the misuse of cheap alcoholic drinks among youths and drivers.
The SGF’s directive follows renewed pressure from the National Assembly, which has repeatedly asked NAFDAC to suspend the enforcement of the ban in line with resolutions passed since 2024. A 1 December letter from the Permanent Secretary (General Services), Mohammed Danjuma, to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, and the NAFDAC Director-General referenced concerns from the House Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control.
“In reference to the attached letter dated 13 November from the House of Reps Committee on the above subject (Re: NAFDAC to enforce sachet alcohol ban from December 2025), we request your comments to enable the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to take an informed decision. While we accept your prompt response, please accept the warm regards of the SGF,” the letter read.
Earlier, the Senate had approved a 31 December 2025 phase-out deadline following a motion by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), who said the timeline aligned with global standards and was intended to curb alcohol-related harm.
