FG halts on sachet alcohol ban

The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) has ordered that all enforcement of the proposed ban on sachet alcohol be put on hold until further notice.

The directive follows a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, which raised concerns about the planned ban by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

In a statement on Monday, the OSGF, through its Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Terrence Kuanum, said the matter is still under review. The office is “considering all legislative, economic, public health, and national interest factors to ensure a balanced and lawful outcome.”

The OSGF specifically instructed that “any action by NAFDAC or any other agency on this matter without proper clearance from the OSGF is invalid and should be ignored by the public until a final decision is made.”

The move comes after NAFDAC announced that production and sale of alcoholic drinks in sachets or bottles smaller than 200 millilitres would be banned by December 2025. NAFDAC said the measure aims to reduce the misuse of cheap alcohol among young people and drivers.

The National Assembly has repeatedly called for a pause in enforcing the ban, citing resolutions passed since 2024. A recent letter from the Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Danjuma, asked the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and NAFDAC to provide input before the SGF makes a final decision.

The OSGF assured Nigerians that the public would be informed once a final position is reached