CSO Slams Sachet Alcohol Ban as ‘Rushed, Undemocratic’ and Threat to Nigeria’s Economy

Abuja, 23 January 2026 – The Concerned Citizens for Change (CSO) has sharply criticised the reported implementation of a ban on alcoholic drinks in sachets and bottles below 200ml by NAFDAC, describing the action as hasty, undemocratic, and potentially disastrous for Nigeria’s economy.

At a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, the civil society group expressed alarm that enforcement of the ban, following a Senate resolution, appeared to bypass the inclusive consultation process earlier led by the Federal Ministry of Health, which resulted in a drafted and validated National Alcohol Policy.

Spokesperson Oluoha Chukwudi said the enforcement announcement attributed to NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye ignored prior engagement with key stakeholders, including industry operators, regulators, and lawmakers.

“The alleged outright ban contradicts resolutions already agreed upon under the Ministry of Health, which constitutionally oversees NAFDAC. We are surprised that enforcement is being pursued without broad consultation,” Chukwudi stated.

The group also challenged claims linking sachet alcohol to underage drinking, noting that independent studies reportedly dispute this assertion. CSO added that industry operators had invested more than N1 billion in nationwide campaigns promoting responsible drinking.

CSO warned that enforcing the ban could trigger severe economic consequences, including the loss of over N1.9 trillion in investments, the retrenchment of over 500,000 direct employees, and disruption of approximately five million indirect jobs across the alcohol value chain. The group emphasised that such outcomes would stall manufacturing growth and undermine local entrepreneurship amid Nigeria’s fragile economic recovery.

The organisation called on the Minister and Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare to fully implement the validated National Alcohol Policy. It urged the Senate to reconsider the ban through comprehensive stakeholder consultations, similar to those previously undertaken by the House of Representatives, and to restrain NAFDAC from enforcement until the policy framework is fully operational.

CSO further accused NAFDAC leadership of unilateral action and demanded that the Director-General step aside, asserting that the current approach conflicts with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Tinubu.