Abuja, Nigeria – February 11, 2026 — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has strongly denied widespread reports suggesting that the federal government has directed the agency to suspend its regulatory and enforcement activities on sachet alcohol products.
In an official statement issued on Wednesday, NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye described the circulating claims as “false and misleading,” stressing that the agency has not received any formal directive or communication from the federal government instructing a halt to its oversight of sachet and small-volume alcoholic beverages.
“The said publication is false, misleading, and does not reflect any official communication received by the Agency from the federal government,” the statement read.
NAFDAC emphasised that it continues to operate strictly within the scope of its statutory mandate as provided under the NAFDAC Act and in full alignment with existing government policies and regulatory frameworks. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing enforcement actions aimed at addressing public health concerns related to sachet alcohol, including issues of excessive consumption, underage access, and associated health risks.
The clarification comes amid persistent public debate over the regulation of sachet and pet-bottle alcohol in Nigeria. These products, often sold in small, affordable volumes, have long been criticised by health experts, civil society groups, and some policymakers for contributing to alcohol abuse, particularly among low-income and vulnerable populations. Several state governments have previously imposed bans or restrictions on sachet alcohol sales within their jurisdictions, citing public health and social order concerns.
NAFDAC has, over the years, intensified efforts to regulate the production, packaging, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages, including the enforcement of standards on labelling, alcohol content, and packaging formats. The agency has conducted raids, product seizures, and destruction exercises targeting non-compliant manufacturers and vendors, particularly those producing sachet alcohol without proper registration or in violation of safety guidelines.
The recent media reports claiming a suspension of these activities appear to have originated from unverified social media posts and online publications that suggested a high-level intervention by the federal government to pause NAFDAC’s enforcement operations. Some accounts even linked the alleged directive to lobbying efforts by industry stakeholders or political considerations.
Prof. Adeyeye’s statement firmly rebutted such narratives, asserting that no such instruction has been issued and that NAFDAC remains fully empowered and actively engaged in its regulatory responsibilities. The Director-General reiterated the agency’s independence in executing its mandate while operating in harmony with national policies.
The clarification is likely to be welcomed by public health advocates who have long called for stricter controls on sachet alcohol to curb its accessibility and associated harms. At the same time, it may disappoint segments of the industry that have argued for a relaxation of restrictions to support small-scale producers and preserve livelihoods in the informal sector.
NAFDAC’s enforcement stance aligns with broader national efforts to address substance abuse and promote responsible consumption of alcohol. The agency has consistently maintained that its actions are guided by scientific evidence, public health priorities, and legal requirements rather than external pressures.
As the controversy subsides following the official denial, attention now returns to the ongoing work of regulating alcoholic beverages in Nigeria. NAFDAC has urged the public to disregard the false reports and to rely on verified information from official sources. The agency also encouraged stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, and consumers, to comply fully with existing regulations to safeguard public health.
No further details have been provided regarding any potential changes to the regulatory framework for sachet alcohol in the near future. For now, NAFDAC has confirmed that its enforcement activities in this area will continue uninterrupted, in line with its statutory obligations and the absence of any contrary directive from the federal government.
The incident underscores the challenges of managing misinformation in the digital age, particularly on sensitive regulatory and public health matters. NAFDAC’s swift response serves to reinforce the importance of official channels for accurate information and the agency’s resolve to maintain its independence and effectiveness in protecting Nigerian consumers.
