The Senate has ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to enforce the December 31, 2025 deadline for banning the production of alcoholic drinks in sachets and small bottles — warning there will be no further extensions.
The resolution followed a motion by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), who argued that the measure aligns with global health standards to reduce alcohol abuse, especially among youth.
Ekpenyong recalled that manufacturers had enjoyed a one-year grace period after a 2018 agreement to phase out the products, but some are again lobbying for time extensions.
He cautioned that cheap, high-strength sachet alcohol continues to fuel addiction and social disorder.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio backed the motion, saying public health concerns outweigh industry pressure. “This is a matter of urgency,” he said. “NAFDAC must act decisively to protect Nigerians, especially young people.”
NAFDAC is expected to begin enforcement in January 2026, marking the end of sachet liquor sales nationwide.
