By Abdullahi Sarki
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced a nationwide enforcement exercise to remove banned sachet alcoholic drinks and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles below 200 millilitres from circulation.
The nationwide operation marks the full implementation of the Federal Government’s ban on sachet alcohol and small-sized PET bottled alcoholic beverages across Nigeria.
The enforcement exercise is being carried out simultaneously in all six geopolitical zones, demonstrating the government’s commitment to enforcing alcohol regulations nationwide.
Before launching the operation, NAFDAC shut down manufacturing facilities found producing the banned alcoholic drinks in violation of existing regulatory directives.
Enforcement officials have been deployed to markets, motor parks, retail outlets, supermarkets, bars and other distribution channels to identify and confiscate prohibited alcoholic products.
The agency warned that anyone involved in producing, importing, distributing, transporting, stocking or selling the banned alcoholic beverages will face prosecution under relevant laws.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, announced that manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, hawkers and transporters must immediately surrender any remaining stock of the prohibited products.
She stressed that continued possession or sale of the banned alcoholic beverages would attract product seizure, regulatory sanctions and possible legal action.
According to NAFDAC, the nationwide enforcement represents one of the agency’s strongest regulatory actions against illegal alcoholic products in recent years.
The agency explained that the crackdown is aimed at reducing underage drinking, substance abuse and the widespread availability of cheap alcohol among young Nigerians.
NAFDAC said the enforcement exercise is part of a long-term nationwide campaign that combines regulatory action with public awareness to eliminate harmful alcoholic products from the market.
The agency noted that protecting children, adolescents and other vulnerable groups remains a major objective of the enforcement while encouraging responsible alcohol consumption among adults.
NAFDAC clarified that manufacturers complying with approved packaging standards are not the target of the operation, which focuses solely on products banned under existing regulations.
It reiterated that sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages packaged in PET bottles below 200 millilitres are now illegal products that should no longer be found in circulation.
The agency also appealed to Nigerians to support the enforcement exercise by reporting individuals and businesses involved in producing, storing or selling the prohibited alcoholic beverages.
Members of the public were further advised not to purchase or consume the banned products and to report any suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office.
The latest enforcement action highlights the Federal Government’s determination to strengthen alcohol regulation, reduce alcohol-related harm and address growing concerns over substance abuse, particularly among young Nigerians.
