The Federal Government has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to immediately suspend all enforcement actions relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic products. Factories and warehouses are no longer to be sealed over the issue, pending further policy directives.

The directive, issued on Wednesday by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), followed joint intervention by the Office of the SGF and the Office of the National Security Adviser. Authorities expressed concerns that enforcement in the absence of a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy could have serious security and economic implications.

“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.

Kuanum noted that although the policy had been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health under the directive of President Bola Tinubu, NAFDAC must refrain from enforcement until the policy is fully implemented. Premature actions, including warehouse closures, had already caused economic disruptions and posed risks to informal distribution networks and employment nationwide.

The move also references concerns raised by the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control in November 2025, highlighting existing National Assembly resolutions and urging caution in enforcement.

The government affirmed that it is reviewing legislative resolutions, public health considerations, economic impacts, and national security implications before issuing a final decision. Stakeholders in the alcohol industry have welcomed the suspension, urging a balanced approach that safeguards both public health and livelihoods.

The Federal Government has promised that a comprehensive National Alcohol Policy will ultimately provide a clear framework for regulating the production, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages in Nigeria. The outcome of ongoing consultations will shape the future of the country’s alcohol industry, ensuring that policy decisions are well-informed and in the national interest.