The House of Representatives has begun efforts to introduce a comprehensive national framework aimed at regulating alcohol consumption in Nigeria, a move lawmakers say is necessary to tackle the rising social and public health effects of substance abuse across the country.
The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Control, Regulation and Reduction of Alcohol-Related Harm in Nigeria,” is being sponsored by the Chairman of the House Adhoc Committee on Drug Trafficking, Tobacco and Alcohol Abuse, Mr Oluwatimehin Adelegbe.
Already through first reading, the bill seeks to regulate the production, importation, distribution, advertisement, marketing and consumption of alcoholic beverages, while also introducing tougher protections for minors and other vulnerable groups.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Adelegbe explained that the proposed legislation was prompted by increasing concerns over alcohol abuse and its impact on public health, security, road safety, domestic violence and youth development.
“This bill is not about prohibition—it is about protection, responsibility, and national development. Nigeria must adopt a modern, evidence-based framework that safeguards our youth while ensuring accountability within the alcohol industry,” he said.
According to the lawmaker, the bill emerged after extensive consultations with government agencies, public health professionals, civil society organisations and industry stakeholders.
He stated that the legislation is designed to balance public health priorities with the legitimate business interests of manufacturers and distributors in the alcohol industry.
Adelegbe also revealed that one of the major technical contributions to the bill came from A New Thing International Foundation, led by Ambassador Kenneth Anetor, who doubles as Lead Consultant to the House Committee on Drug Trafficking, Tobacco and Alcohol Abuse.
Quoting Anetor, the lawmaker said, “This legislation represents a shift from reactive interventions to preventive systems. It aligns Nigeria with global best practices while creating a balanced framework that protects public health and allows responsible industry participation.”
If eventually passed into law, the bill will establish a national alcohol control framework, enforce stricter regulations on alcohol marketing and accessibility—especially for underage persons—strengthen public awareness and harm-reduction campaigns, improve data collection and enforcement systems, and align Nigeria’s alcohol policies with global public health standards.
Adelegbe further urged stakeholders in the alcoholic beverage industry to participate actively in the legislative process as the bill advances through committee reviews and public hearings.
He stressed that the involvement of industry operators would help ensure the final framework is both effective and sustainable.
“The process of the bill is a unique opportunity for industry leaders to contribute to shaping balanced and sustainable regulations, demonstrate commitment to corporate responsibility and partner with government on harm reduction and consumer protection,” he said.
The move by the House comes amid mounting concerns from health experts, law enforcement agencies and advocacy groups over the increasing rate of alcohol and substance abuse in Nigeria, particularly among young people.
In recent years, stakeholders have repeatedly demanded a coordinated national policy on alcohol regulation, warning that the lack of a comprehensive legal framework has encouraged unchecked advertising, easy access for minors and weak enforcement of existing rules.
Nigeria currently depends on a mixture of fragmented laws, agency directives and state-level regulations to address alcohol-related issues, unlike many countries with dedicated national alcohol control policies.
Public health professionals have argued that increasing cases of addiction, drunk driving, violent crimes and mental health disorders linked to substance abuse require a more structured and preventive response.
The conversation around alcohol regulation has also intensified alongside growing concerns about drug abuse, especially following repeated warnings by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency over the rising prevalence of substance dependence among youths.
Stakeholders believe the proposed legislation could become one of Nigeria’s most significant public health reforms in recent years if it is eventually passed and properly implemented.
