Stand Up Nigeria Expresses Concern Over NAFDAC’s Proposed Alcohol Ban
Stand Up Nigeria, a group of concerned citizens, has raised alarm over recent actions by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Director General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye. The group is deeply troubled by what it describes as an authoritarian and undemocratic move to ban the production, distribution, and consumption of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small-volume PET/glass bottles (below 200ml) by December 2025.
This proposed ban, reportedly backed by some members of the Nigerian Senate, stands in stark contrast to the government’s renewed hope agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The president, who came into power with a people-oriented development blueprint, has focused on diversifying the nation’s economy and promoting capital projects. This includes the full deregulation of the Nigerian oil sector downstream, which aims to boost economic growth and create jobs.
The concern from Stand Up Nigeria stems from the haste and lack of consultation surrounding this decision. The agency in question has not engaged critical stakeholders and industry players, despite previous resolutions made during a meeting with the Federal Ministry of Health and members of the House of Representatives. These discussions were aimed at finding a balanced approach to regulating alcohol consumption while supporting the industry.
Furthermore, the group questions the legitimacy of the Senate’s involvement in this matter. It is suspected that the alleged resolutions passed by the Senate were influenced by NAFDAC without due consideration of the ongoing deliberations by the House of Representatives. This raises serious concerns about the democratic process and the role of different branches of government in policy-making.
A directive for a one-year extension by the Ministry of Health, which is constitutionally responsible for overseeing NAFDAC, is still being considered. This directive was meant to validate a draft on the National Alcohol Policy, which should have been addressed before any major official pronouncement by an arm of the government.
Resolutions from a Stakeholder Committee
It is worth noting that the issues surrounding the ban on alcohol in sachets and small PET bottles were previously resolved by a high-powered committee of stakeholders. This committee validated the National Alcohol Policy in October 2025, leading to several key recommendations, including:
- Multi-sectoral action plans.
- Robust and pragmatic enforcement plans by law enforcement agencies.
- Establishment of licensed liquor stores/outlets in Local Government Areas across the country.
- Increased monitoring and surveillance to ensure compliance.
- Checks by NAFDAC, FCCPC, and others to guarantee quality assurance in terms of content and safety.
- Products regulation by relevant bodies.
- Monitoring and enlightenment campaigns on the dangers of underage consumption of alcohol and its sales in motor parks.
- Enlightenment campaigns to be carried out in secondary schools across the country to educate students on the dangers and vices associated with the abuse of alcohol.
These recommendations were agreed upon by stakeholders during a transparent process, which Stand Up Nigeria believes is far more appropriate than the recent unilateral announcement of an outright ban.
Industry Efforts and Research Findings
It is also important to note that the claims of abuse by minors have been dismissed by several independently conducted research studies. Despite this, the industry has taken proactive steps to promote responsible alcohol consumption through various campaigns. These efforts have cost industry operators over a billion Naira in advertising placements across major media platforms and have proven effective in discouraging underage drinking.
The proposed ban, however, is seen as unfair and unacceptable. It violates the terms of a more inclusive process organized by NAFDAC’s supervising ministry, the Ministry of Health. Stand Up Nigeria argues that NAFDAC should have presented its position before the Senate alongside the Ministry during the validation process, rather than bypassing these procedures and approaching the National Assembly without giving other stakeholders a fair opportunity to be heard.
Economic Implications
The implications of this pronouncement are too grave to ignore. For a government expanding its revenue net to fund infrastructural projects, this ban would be economically counterproductive. If allowed to stand, it could cause significant economic dislocation, potentially leading to:
- A loss of over N1.9 trillion investment by indigenous Nigerian companies.
- Mass retrenchment of over 500,000 direct employees and approximately 5 million indirect jobs through contracts, marketing, and other logistics.
- Reduction in capacity utilization and manufacturing, which recent quarterly economic indices suggest is gradually improving due to contributions from the alcoholic industry within the food and beverages sector.
- Loss of indigenous businesses, which could hinder local entrepreneurship development in the economy.
Calls for Action
In light of these concerns, Stand Up Nigeria has issued several calls for action:
- That the Honourable Minister and Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare endorse the draft copy of the validated Nigeria National Alcohol Policy and its multi-sectoral implementation framework.
- That the Senate act with dignity, fairness, and respect for all, as per the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and revisit the matter by calling for a stakeholders’ consultation, either through public hearings or focus meetings with relevant industry players.
- That Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, the NAFDAC DG, desist from running the agency like a private business enterprise and subjecting it to public ridicule or resign, as her actions and continued stay in office pose a serious threat to the full implementation of the President’s renewed hope agenda.
Thank you all for your kind attention.
