The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has directed a suspension of all enforcement actions related to the proposed ban on sachet alcoholic drinks, pending further review.
The directive follows correspondence from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drug Administration and Control regarding the planned enforcement of the ban by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
In a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Terrence Kuanum, the SGF’s office said the matter, outlined in a November 13, 2025 letter signed by Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Uchenna Okonkwo, is currently under review.
The statement added that the SGF is examining the issue “in line with its statutory coordinating role as Chairman of the Cabinet Secretariat.” It further clarified that “any action or enforcement undertaken by NAFDAC or any other agency on this matter without due clearance and resolution by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is of no effect and should be disregarded by the public until a final decision is formally communicated.”
The SGF assured Nigerians that legislative resolutions, economic implications, public health concerns, and broader national interest considerations are being carefully examined to ensure a balanced and lawful outcome. “The public will be duly informed once a final position has been reached,” the statement added.
This development comes after NAFDAC announced plans to prohibit the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and bottles smaller than 200 millilitres by December 2025. The agency’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, had said the ban aimed to curb the misuse of cheap alcoholic drinks among youths and drivers.
The SGF’s directive follows renewed pressure from the National Assembly, which has repeatedly asked NAFDAC to suspend enforcement of the ban in line with resolutions passed since 2024.
Earlier, the Senate approved a December 31, 2025, phase-out deadline following a motion by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who said the timeline aligned with global standards and was intended to curb alcohol-related harm.
