NOA, NAFDAC, and FCCPC Launch Joint Enforcement of Sachet Alcohol Ban

Business, Health

ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA), March 3, 2026 — Nigeria’s National Orientation Agency (NOA), in partnership with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has launched a nationwide campaign to enforce the Federal Government’s ban on sachet alcoholic drinks and alcohol packaged in PET or glass bottles below 200 millilitres.

The campaign was officially flagged of today at NOA Headquarters in Abuja, with NOA leading public sensitisation and behavioural change efforts.

NOA Director-General Lanre Issa-Onilu described the initiative as a decisive intervention to protect the health and future of Nigerians, particularly young people vulnerable to cheap, high-concentration alcohol. He stressed that the enforcement followed eight years of stakeholder engagement, noting: “What is harmful to national wellbeing cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely.”

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Issa-Onilu also underscored the role of the media, calling the campaign a matter of Development Journalism and a shared national duty. He argued that resistance to the ban should not be seen as protests against the government but against the collective well-being of Nigerians: “They are not demonstrating against the Government of Nigeria; they are demonstrating against the Nigerian people, against you in the media, against our children. This is about public protection.”

NAFDAC Director-General Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye highlighted findings from a 2021 national survey showing that over 54 per cent of minors purchased alcohol themselves, with nearly half accessing it through sachets and small PET bottles. The study revealed significant levels of daily and weekly consumption among underage persons, underscoring the urgency of regulatory action.

The FCCPC reaffirmed its commitment to strict compliance, stressing that consumer protection is central to national interest.

As the lead agency for sensitisation, NOA will deploy its 818 offices across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas to drive grassroots awareness. Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers will engage youth groups, market associations, transport unions, schools, faith-based institutions, and community leaders through town halls, market outreaches, and multilingual advocacy. The campaign will also leverage media platforms, digital channels, and the NOA CLHEEAN App to enable citizens to report violations.

NOA called on parents, guardians, retailers, distributors, and community leaders to support the ban and prioritise the well-being of Nigeria’s youth. “Through awareness, compliance, and collective vigilance, we remain committed to building a healthier, safer, and more responsible nation,” the agency stated.