The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has been instructed by the government to halt all enforcement actions against the proposed prohibition on 200ml PET alcoholic goods and sachet alcohol.
The agency was also cautioned by the government to cease shutting facilities and warehouses right away due to the problem.
Terrence Kuanum, the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, made the directive public in a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday.
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According to Kuanum, the order came after the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation jointly intervened, raising concerns about the security implications of ongoing enforcement in the absence of a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy.
“Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the ongoing ban on sachet alcohol are to be suspended pending the final consultations and implementation of the National Alcohol Policy and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement read.
He stated that even though the Federal Ministry of Health had signed the National Alcohol Policy in accordance with President Bola Tinubu’s order, both offices insisted that NAFDAC abstain from all enforcement actions until the policy is completely implemented and additional directives are given.
According to the government, these actions include closing factories, locking warehouses, and raising awareness of the prohibition on sachet alcohol.
The statement claimed that without a unified policy framework, the ongoing warehouse closures and what it called a “de facto ban” on sachet alcohol products were already impacting jobs, supply chains, and unofficial distribution networks across the country, creating economic disruptions and security threats.
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According to Kuanum, the stance upheld a previous order from the SGF’s office in December 2025 that halted all activities associated with the planned prohibition while deliberations and a final determination were conducted.
He stated that on November 13, 2025, the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control addressed a letter to the SGF’s office expressing concerns about NAFDAC’s proposed enforcement and citing previous National Assembly resolutions on the subject.
The letter, referenced NASS/10/HR/CT.53/77 and signed by the Deputy Chairman of the committee, Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo, raised concerns over NAFDAC’s proposed enforcement actions and drew attention to existing resolutions of the National Assembly on the issue.
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