The Federal Government has ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to halt all enforcement actions concerning the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic drinks.
The government also directed the agency to immediately cease sealing factories and warehouses related to the matter.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Terrence Kuanum, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Kuanum stated that the directive came after a joint intervention by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser, which highlighted the security risks of continuing enforcement without a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy.
“Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the ongoing ban on sachet alcohol are to be suspended pending the final consultations and implementation of the National Alcohol Policy and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement read.
He noted that while the Federal Ministry of Health had approved the National Alcohol Policy as directed by President Bola Tinubu, both offices stressed that NAFDAC should halt all enforcement activities until the policy is fully put into effect and further instructions are provided.
The government said this includes stopping factory closures, warehouse seizures, and public campaigns promoting the sachet alcohol ban.
The statement said that the ongoing sealing of warehouses and what it called a “de facto ban” on sachet alcohol products, without a unified policy framework, was already disrupting the economy and creating security risks, particularly affecting jobs, supply chains, and informal distribution networks across the country.
Kuanum added that this position reinforced an earlier directive from the SGF’s office in December 2025, which suspended all actions related to the proposed ban pending consultations and a final decision.
He further noted that the SGF’s office had received a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, dated November 13, 2025, expressing concerns about NAFDAC’s proposed enforcement actions and citing existing National Assembly resolutions on the matter.
The letter, referenced NASS/10/HR/CT.53/77 and signed by the committee’s Deputy Chairman, Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo, highlighted the proposed actions and underscored the legislative stance.
The Federal Government said it is reviewing the legislative resolutions, public health considerations, economic impacts, and national interest factors related to the issue.
The government assured Nigerians and industry stakeholders that a final decision would be announced following consultations and inter-agency coordination, prioritizing public health, economic stability, and national security.
