Health Groups Back NAFDAC’s Ban on Sachet Alcohol, Reject Claims of ₦1.9 Trillion Economic Loss as ‘Scare Tactics’

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has received strong support from public health organizations for its decision to enforce a total ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small bottles, effective December 31, 2025.

In a joint statement released today, Sunday, November 16, 2025, the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED) and the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) described the ban as a “long overdue” public health measure crucial for safeguarding the nation’s children and youths.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, had earlier this month reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to the ban, following a directive from the Senate to end all further extensions to the phase-out period, which began with an initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2018.

Rejecting Industry’s Economic Warnings

While groups like the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have warned that the outright ban risks crippling the economy, leading to the loss of over ₦1.9 trillion in investments and 500,000 jobs, the health advocacy groups strongly rejected these claims.

“We reject in its entirety the claims by the MAN that the ban will trigger a loss of over ₦1.9tn in investment and lead to the retrenchment of over 500,000 workers,” the joint statement read. They argued that these figures are “inflated, unverifiable, and represent a familiar scare tactic” used by corporations globally to push government to prioritize profit over public health.

The groups reiterated NAFDAC’s core rationale: the low pricing, easily concealable packaging, and aggressive marketing of high-potency alcohol in small volumes encourage widespread misuse, which is linked to an escalating rate of addiction, domestic violence, road crashes, and social disorder.

Dr. Jerome Mafeni, Technical Director of NHED, emphasized the social cost, stating, “The long-term social and economic costs of alcohol-related harm far outweigh any short-term profits. Sachet alcohol targets poor and marginalised communities, making this ban crucial.”

Both NHED and CAPPA commended NAFDAC for resisting corporate pressure and urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to stand firm on the December deadline, ensuring the life-saving policy is not suspended, watered down, or delayed.