By| Goodluck E. Adubazi | Abuja
The Federal Government has intensified enforcement of the nationwide ban on sachet and small-pack alcoholic drinks, as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), formally flagged off a joint national sensitisation and enforcement campaign on Tuesday in Abuja
She stressed that violators would face stiff regulatory sanctions, describing the move as a critical public health intervention aimed at curbing underage access to cheap, high-concentration alcohol.
“Alcohol is one of the most widely used substances of abuse among youths and remains a growing public health concern in Nigeria,” she said, citing studies indicating a sharp rise in alcohol availability, production, importation and consumption in recent years.
The enforcement drive follows alarming findings from a 2021 national survey on underage drinking conducted by the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) in collaboration with NAFDAC. The study, sponsored by DIBAN and carried out by Research and Data Solutions Ltd, Abuja, assessed alcohol consumption patterns between June and August 2021.
A total of 1,788 respondents across six states representing Nigeria’s six geo-political zones participated in the quantitative survey.
Key findings revealed,
54.3% of minors and underaged respondents purchase alcohol by themselves.
49.9% patronise retailers selling drinks in sachets and PET bottles.
Access also occurs through friends and relatives (49.9%), social gatherings (45.9%), and parents’ homes (21.7%).
Of those who buy alcohol personally:
47.2% of minors and 48.8% of underaged purchase sachet alcohol.
41.2% of minors and 47.2% of underaged purchase PET bottles.
27.6% of underaged purchase alcohol in glass bottles.
Procurement of sachet and PET alcohol was most prevalent in Rivers (68.0% and 64.5%), Lagos (52.3% and 47.7%), and Kaduna (38.6% and 28.4%) states.
The data further showed that sachet purchases were higher among males (51.4%) than females (41.5%), and more common in rural areas (50.1%) than urban centres (45.3%).
Disturbing Consumption Patterns
The survey revealed that
54.0% of respondents are occasional drinkers.
24.0% consume alcohol daily.
The reports further stated that 11.0% drink at least once a week.
Among minors she noted specifically,
63.2% drink occasionally,
9.3% drink daily,
11.3% drink weekly,
among underaged respondents,
54.0% drink occasionally,
25.2% drink daily,
9.4% drink weekly.
Binge drinking was reported by 2.5% of minors and 11.7% of underaged children, with the highest rates recorded in Gombe (16.3%), the FCT (15.0%), and Anambra (14.4%), She stated.
She cited Peer pressure as the leading driver of underage drinking (50.5%), followed by parental or family influence (34.8%), personal choice (34.2%), and emotional distress (34.0%). Broader contributing factors included peer group pressure (74.5%), youth influence (49.4%), family relations (39.7%), social media (36.4%), easy availability of alcohol outlets (32.6%), government oversight gaps (22.7%), and public advertising (20.7%).
Prof. Adeyeye noted that because is “Easy to Conceal, is Easy to Abuse.
The NAFDAC DG emphasised that sachet alcohol’s affordability, portability and concealability make it particularly attractive to minors.
“These small packet sizes are easy to hide. Whether parents are vigilant or not, these sachets are easy to conceal. That is what makes them dangerous,” she said.
She warned that early exposure significantly increases risks of addiction, poor academic performance, domestic instability, road accidents and long-term dependency.
“Today marks the official flagging-off of a Joint Nationwide Campaign. We are taking a united stand for the health, safety and protection of Nigerian consumers,” he declared.
He announced that NOA would deploy its 818 offices nationwide, covering all 774 Local Government Areas, to drive behavioural change and public awareness.
The campaign the NOA DG noted will target rural communities, youth groups, transport unions, market associations, artisans, schools and faith-based organisations through town hall meetings, motor park outreaches, media engagements and digital platforms”, DG NOA stated.
Citizens are also encouraged to report violations using the NOA CLHEEAN App.
Similarly the FCCPC has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing responsible market practices and ensuring compliance among manufacturers and retailers.
Officials stressed that consumer protection is inseparable from public protection, noting that harmful market practices must be curtailed to safeguard national wellbeing.
The Federal Government maintained that the ban is not merely restrictive but protective, aimed at preventing long-term social and economic damage.
“No nation prospers when its youth are trapped in cycles of preventable addiction,” Issa-Onilu said. “Protecting our children today is an investment in Nigeria’s stability and productivity tomorrow.”
With the enforcement drive now in full swing, regulators have signalled zero tolerance for violations, marking what officials describe as a decisive step toward tackling underage drinking and restoring responsible alcohol consumption standards nationwide.
