The Federal Government has adopted a new four-year alcohol policy aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm, curbing abuse and protecting underage and vulnerable populations, while the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ordered mandatory nationwide recall and destruction of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and plastic bottles below 200ml.

The Nigeria Alcohol Policy and its Multisectoral Implementation Plan (2026–2030), launched by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, provides a coordinated national framework for alcohol control, with emphasis on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, effective regulation and responsible economic development.

Delivering a goodwill message at the launch, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, under the leadership of the Coordinating Minister, for providing clear policy direction on alcohol control.

The development comes as NAFDAC intensifies enforcement of the Federal Government’s ban on the production and distribution of alcoholic beverages in sachets and plastic bottles below 200ml.

At a press briefing at the agency’s office in Isolo, Lagos, NAFDAC warned manufacturers whose prohibited products were found in the market that they would face heavy fines, while their manufacturing facilities could be permanently shut down.

Adeyeye said enforcement was being conducted in phases, beginning with manufacturers and subsequently extending to markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and distribution centres.

The NAFDAC boss also disclosed that the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers and their member companies had signed an irrevocable enforcement undertaking committing them to discontinue the production and distribution of alcoholic beverages in the prohibited pack sizes.

Under the undertaking, affected manufacturers are required to commence a nationwide recall of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and plastic bottles with capacities below 200ml from distributors, warehouses, and other points within the supply chain.

The manufacturers are also required to submit periodic compliance reports to NAFDAC, while recalled products would undergo inventory verification and destruction under the agency’s supervision, with manufacturers bearing the cost.

Adeyeye warned that companies that failed to comply with the undertaking risked continued closure of their facilities, placement on regulatory watch lists, suspension or revocation of product registrations, prosecution where applicable, and other sanctions permitted by law.

The agency also warned retailers and roadside sellers against selling the banned products, saying enforcement would continue through seizures, intelligence gathering and collaboration with other government agencies.