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The Federal Government has reiterated that all enforcement actions relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic products remain suspended, pending the full implementation of the National Alcohol Policy and further policy direction, directing the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to suspend enforcement activities.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, Terrence Kuanum, the OSGF disclosed that it had received a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control 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, raised concerns over NAFDAC’s enforcement actions and cited existing resolutions of the National Assembly on the matter.
The renewed directive followed a joint intervention by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), both of which expressed concern over the economic and security implications of continued enforcement in the absence of a fully operational policy framework.
According to the OSGF and NSA, although the National Alcohol Policy has been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, it is yet to be implemented. They stressed that until the policy becomes operational and a final directive is issued by the Office of the SGF, NAFDAC must refrain from all enforcement measures, including factory shutdowns, warehouse sealing and public emphasis on the sachet alcohol ban.
The Federal Government warned that continued enforcement without harmonised policy coordination could disrupt supply chains, deepen unemployment and create security risks, particularly within informal distribution networks across the country.
This position reinforces an earlier directive issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in December 2025, which formally suspended all actions relating to the proposed ban pending further consultations and a final government decision.
The OSGF explained that, in line with its statutory role as Chairman of the Cabinet Secretariat, it is reviewing legislative resolutions, public health considerations, economic implications and national interest issues surrounding the proposed ban.
“Accordingly, all actions, decisions or enforcement measures relating to the sachet alcohol ban are to remain suspended pending final consultations, full implementation of the National Alcohol Policy and the issuance of a definitive directive,” the statement said.
The Office further clarified that any enforcement action carried out by NAFDAC or any other agency without due clearance from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation should be regarded as invalid until an official position is formally communicated.
With the involvement of the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Federal Government stressed that premature enforcement without coordinated policy implementation could worsen social dislocation and trigger avoidable security challenges.
The Federal Government assured Nigerians and industry stakeholders that a final, balanced and lawful decision would be communicated in due course following comprehensive consultations and inter-agency coordination, in the overall interest of public health, economic stability and national security.
