The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to immediate cease all enforcement actions regarding the ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle products.
In the joint directive dated Tuesday , 11 February 2026, and signed by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, both offices urged the public and industry stakeholders to disregard any enforcement measures not cleared by the OSGF.
They warned that continued enforcement, in the absence of a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy, could “destabilize communities, worsen unemployment, and trigger avoidable security challenges.
They clarified that while the National Alcohol Policy has been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health under the direction of President Bola Tinubu, NAFDAC must refrain from sealing factories or warehouses until the policy is fully operationalised.
The SGF and NSA emphasized that the current “de facto banning” of these products without a harmonized framework is creating significant disruptions.
“The continued sealing of warehouses and de facto banning of sachet alcohol products… is already creating economic disruptions and poses a growing security threat, particularly given the impact on employment, supply chains, and informal distribution networks across the country.”
The OSGF further revealed that its decision was influenced by correspondence from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, dated November 13, 2025.
The letter, signed by Deputy Chairman Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, highlighted existing National Assembly resolutions that cautioned against the proposed ban.
Reaffirming a previous suspension issued in December 2025, the OSGF stated its role in reviewing legislative, public health, and economic factors before a final decision is reached.
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 emphasised.
The statement assured Nigerians that a “final, balanced, and lawful decision” would be communicated in due course, prioritizing public health alongside national security and economic stability.
