The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Christianah Adeyeye, has restated the agency’s unwavering position on the prohibition of alcohol sold in sachets and small bottles, insisting that the policy will remain in force unless overturned by a legislative or judicial order.
Adeyeye made this known during an unscheduled press briefing at NAFDAC’s Isolo office in Lagos, which followed a protest staged by alcohol producers against the ban.
The demonstrators arrived in white buses and displayed placards calling on the agency to reverse its decision, arguing that the restriction could result in widespread job losses and worsen economic conditions.
Speaking to journalists after earlier meeting with representatives of the protesters, Adeyeye said the enforcement of the ban was not intended as a punitive measure but as a critical step to protect public health.
She said, “Children are not small adults. Their physiological systems cannot handle alcohol, and early exposure significantly increases the risk of disease, addiction, and social harm. This is why we cannot compromise on enforcement.”
Adeyeye noted that while adults may decide to consume alcohol responsibly, the availability of small, highly concentrated sachets makes alcohol easily accessible to children and young people. According to her, this has contributed significantly to alcohol-related health and social challenges such as road traffic accidents, substance dependence, and criminal activity.
The NAFDAC boss also reminded the public that the ban aligns with international health guidelines and Nigeria’s obligations under Sustainable Development Goal 3.5, which focuses on reducing the harmful use of alcohol. She stressed that manufacturers were given ample time to adapt, including an initial five-year window and an extra one-year grace period, making the current enforcement the final phase of a long-standing process.
She clarified, “We are not banning alcohol,” adding that producers still retain licenses to manufacture alcohol in larger quantities. “What we are stopping is the production of small, highly concentrated sachets that put children and the public at risk.”
Adeyeye further addressed worries about how the policy would be enforced in markets and workplaces, assuring that NAFDAC would continue to apply the law responsibly while prioritizing public safety.