The Federal Government has ordered an immediate pause on all enforcement activities connected to the proposed prohibition of sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle products, pending the completion of consultations and the release of a final policy decision.
The instruction came from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) after concerns were raised by the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control.
In a statement issued on Monday by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, the OSGF acknowledged receipt of a formal letter from the House Committee dated November 13, 2025. The correspondence, referenced NASS/10/HR/CT.53/77 and signed by the committee’s Deputy Chairman, Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, highlighted existing resolutions of the National Assembly on the issue and advised restraint regarding enforcement.
The OSGF noted that the matters raised are currently being examined in line with its statutory responsibilities as Chairman of the Cabinet Secretariat and the central body for coordinating government policy implementation.
“Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the proposed sachet alcohol ban are to be suspended pending the conclusion of consultations and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement said.
The OSGF further clarified that any enforcement action taken by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) or any other agency without due clearance and resolution from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation would be deemed invalid and should be disregarded by the public until an official decision is communicated.
The office assured Nigerians that it is conducting a comprehensive review of all relevant considerations, including legislative resolutions, public health concerns, economic implications, and the broader national interest, to arrive at a balanced and lawful outcome.
It added that the public would be formally informed once a final position on the proposed ban has been reached.
