The Federal Government has ordered an immediate halt to the enforcement of the proposed ban on sachet alcohol products, pending further consultations and a final decision.
The directive affects actions by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and other relevant agencies.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation said it received a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, dated November 13, 2025, concerning the planned enforcement of the ban.
The letter, signed by the committee’s Deputy Chairman, Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, drew attention to resolutions already taken by the National Assembly on the issue.
According to the statement, the correspondence is being reviewed by the OSGF as part of its statutory role as Chairman of the Cabinet Secretariat.
“As a result, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has directed that all actions, decisions and enforcement related to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol be suspended pending the conclusion of consultations and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement said.
The OSGF further clarified that any enforcement action carried out without proper clearance should not be taken seriously by the public.
“Any enforcement action taken by NAFDAC or any other agency without due clearance and resolution by the OSGF should be disregarded, as such actions are considered invalid until a final decision is officially communicated,” the statement added.
The Federal Government assured Nigerians that several factors are being carefully considered before a final position is reached.
It said legislative resolutions, economic impact, public health concerns and the broader national interest are all under review to ensure a balanced and lawful outcome.
“The public will be duly informed once a final position on the matter is reached,” the statement said.
The statement was signed by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and dated December 15, 2025.
The debate over sachet alcohol has been ongoing for years, driven by concerns over the easy access to very cheap alcohol sold in sachets and small plastic bottles.
Regulators have repeatedly warned that such products are widely available to minors and vulnerable groups, contributing to alcohol abuse, road accidents, domestic violence and long-term health problems.
NAFDAC had previously said the move to restrict sachet alcohol followed years of stakeholder engagements and policy discussions aimed at addressing rising public health risks linked to the products.
