The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has defended its decision to enforce a ban on sachet alcohol, warning that easy access to these small, high-strength products is fueling addiction among Nigerian children. Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency’s Director General, spoke on ARISE Television on Friday, emphasizing that public health concerns must take precedence over commercial interests.
“We are making our children addicts,” Adeyeye stated bluntly. She explained that many manufacturers prioritize profit over the health and safety of minors, selling alcohol in small, easily concealed sachets with dangerously high concentrations of ethanol. “On their side, it’s all about money, not about health. We are about health and responsible investment. We cannot sacrifice our children for trade,” she said.
Adeyeye clarified that NAFDAC is not banning alcohol outright. The agency is specifically targeting small packages that make it easier for underage individuals to purchase and hide alcohol. “We approve alcohol in different packages. It is only the small sachets that are banned,” she said.
The policy traces back to 2018, when NAFDAC discovered that some sachet products contained between 43 and 45 percent alcohol—strong enough to be pocketed by school-aged children. Following consultations with manufacturers under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Health, an agreement was reached giving producers five years to phase out sachet packaging.
Although the initial moratorium expired on January 31, 2024, interventions from lawmakers and industry stakeholders extended enforcement by one year. That extension ended in December 2025, and NAFDAC resumed enforcement following a directive from the Senate, despite renewed pressure for further delays.
Adeyeye dismissed suggestions that warning labels could effectively curb underage drinking in Nigeria. “Do not use under 18… are we really kidding ourselves? Who is going to enforce that here?” she asked, emphasizing that the measure aligns with Nigeria’s international commitments to restrict alcohol access to vulnerable populations, signed in 2010.
Addressing reports of legal challenges, Adeyeye clarified that NAFDAC has not been served with any injunction and that enforcement actions only targeted specific production lines, not entire companies.
Highlighting the long-term risks, she warned that early exposure to alcohol can have lasting health consequences. “You’re frying your liver slowly with alcohol over time,” she said, underscoring the urgent need to protect children from early addiction.
