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  • NAFDAC alerts Nigerians over recalled Indomie noodles linked to France

    NAFDAC alerts Nigerians over recalled Indomie noodles linked to France

    The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians about a recall of Indomie Vegetable Flavour noodles sold in France, following the discovery of undeclared milk and egg ingredients that could be dangerous for people with food allergies.

    NAFDAC said the alert does not concern Indomie noodles produced in Nigeria. The affected product is linked to France, where the recall was announced by Rappel Conso, France’s official food safety authority.

    According to NAFDAC, laboratory tests in France found that the Indomie Vegetable Flavour noodles contained milk and eggs, but these ingredients were not written on the product label. This can be very risky for people who are allergic to milk or eggs, as it could cause serious allergic reactions.

    The recall affects all batches of the product with a best-before date of February 6, 2026.

    Although the recall notice did not clearly state the country where the noodles were manufactured, it was officially issued by the French food safety authorities, not Nigeria.

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    In a statement issued under Public Alert No. 041/2025, dated December 18, 2025, NAFDAC said, “The French Authority (Rappel Conso of France) issued a recall notice for Indomie Vegetable Flavour noodles due to the presence of undeclared allergens, specifically milk and eggs, which may pose serious health risks to consumers with allergies or intolerances.”

    NAFDAC explained that even though Nigeria has banned the importation of noodles, there is still a small chance that the recalled product could enter the country illegally, through smuggling, online shopping, or travellers returning from abroad.

    “Although the official risk of these products entering Nigeria is low due to the Federal Government’s ban on noodle importation, there remains a need for heightened vigilance to prevent possible illicit entry or circulation of the implicated Indomie brand,” the statement reads. 

    “Because Indomie is a very popular and affordable food eaten in many homes, the agency said it is important to stay alert.”

    To prevent any danger, NAFDAC has ordered its zonal directors and state coordinators across Nigeria to step up monitoring and immediately seize the product if found anywhere in the country.

    “NAFDAC has commenced nationwide vigilance actions to guard against possible entry of the product into Nigeria,” the agency said.

    NAFDAC advised distributors, retailers, and consumers to be careful and ensure they are not selling or consuming the foreign-recalled Indomie Vegetable Flavour noodles.

    Anyone who comes across the product is advised to discard it immediately and not eat it.

    Members of the public are also encouraged to report any sighting or sale of the recalled noodles to the nearest NAFDAC office or through the agency’s toll-free number: 0800-162-3322.

    Any health problems or allergic reactions linked to the product should also be reported through NAFDAC offices or the agency’s online reporting platforms.

  • Experts urge Nigerians to embrace alternative medicine

    Experts urge Nigerians to embrace alternative medicine

    Nigerians have been urged to embrace alternative medicine, as the nation and the world continue the search for cures for terminal diseases, including HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and asthma, among others.

    The call was made at the launch of Thorntina-74 Herbal Mixture in Ikeja, Lagos.

    Speaking at the event, the Country Manager of the product in Nigeria, Mr Henry Seymour, said the launch marked the formal introduction of a product that reflects the strength of African herbal innovation.

    According to him, Thorntina-74 was developed by Diagnostic Herbal Industry (DHI), Ghana, and has received approval from the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for sale in Nigeria.

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    Seymour, who was represented at the event by Mr Yinka Adeoti, a former travel officer with the United States Consulate General in Lagos, said that the product has recorded wide acceptance in countries such as Ghana, South Africa, Sierra Leone and the United States, where thousands of users rely on it for general wellbeing, immune support and daily vitality.

    “This strong international track record gives us confidence as we begin our journey in the Nigerian market,” he said.

    He added that the product’s NAFDAC approval underscores the company’s commitment to safety, quality and consumer protection.

    ‎“We are particularly proud that Thorntina-74 has met all regulatory requirements and received full NAFDAC approval. Nigerians can be assured that this is a product they can trust,” Seymour said.

    ‎On distribution, he explained that Thorntina-74 would not be sold openly in the market, but would be available only through accredited agents and selected pharmacy outlets.

    ‎Also speaking at the event, the Director of DHI, Ghana, Dr Kwame Osei-Konadu, said the organisation’s mission is to bring succour to people in need of healthcare.

    ‎He stressed that although there are numerous herbal products in the market, Thorntina-74 stands out, adding that the product would continue to improve lives by boosting immunity and supporting overall health.

  • NAFDAC destroys over N55 billion worth of fake, banned, expired drugs in Ibadan

    NAFDAC destroys over N55 billion worth of fake, banned, expired drugs in Ibadan

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed over N55 billion worth of fake, banned, substandard, unwholesome, illicit drugs and pharmaceutical products in Ibadan.

    NAFDAC said it has been charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the health of every Nigerian is safeguarded, and as such, is committed to eliminating SFs medical products, illicit drugs, unwholesome foods, chemicals, medical devices, and other products, and will continue to find ways to rid the nation of all volatile products.

    Speaking in Ibadan during the destruction exercise, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that the routine exercise, which is in line with the Agency’s mandate, and a strategy aimed at preventing re-introduction of Expired, Substandard and Falsified (SFs) Medical Devices, as well as other Spurious, Unsafe and Unwholesome NAFDAC Regulated Products from being reintroduced into circulation. 

    Adeyeye, who was represented by the Agency Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Division (Investigation and Enforcement, Papa Lagos), Mrs Florence Ubah maintained that the products being destroyed during the exercise are made up of substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food products and food additives, unsafe cosmetics, counterfeits and other expired NAFDAC regulated products seized by the Agency from manufacturers, importers, and distributors. 

    She said, “It is important to state that, up for destruction today are damaged and Expired products voluntarily handed over by more than seventy (70) compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Trade Unions, to the Agency. This is commendable.

    “The estimated street value of the products being destroyed is worth N55,436,844,470 Fifty‑five billion, four hundred thirty‑six million, eight hundred forty‑four thousand, four hundred seventy naira only.”

    She thanked the Police, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and all stakeholders who have united in the fight against substandard and falsified medicines and other unwholesome regulated products.

    She, however, appealed to religious leaders, community leaders, health practitioners, journalists, and all Nigerians about the importance of educating their families and wards about the dangers of patronizing quacks and unauthorised medicine/food dealers. 

    She said everyone must actively participate in the fight, because it is a collective responsibility, adding that “together, we can protect the health and safety of all Nigerians.”

  • FG suspends enforcement of NAFDAC sachet alcohol ban pending review

    FG suspends enforcement of NAFDAC sachet alcohol ban pending review

    The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) has directed the suspension of all actions and enforcement measures relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol products by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    In a statement issued on the matter, the OSGF disclosed that it received an official correspondence from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, dated November 13, 2025.

    The letter, referenced NASS/10/HR/CT.53/77 and signed by the committee’s Deputy Chairman, Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, drew attention to existing resolutions of the National Assembly on the proposed ban.

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    According to the OSGF, the correspondence is currently under review in line with its statutory coordinating role as Chairman of the Cabinet Secretariat.

    Consequently, the office directed that all decisions, actions or enforcement related to the proposed sachet alcohol ban be put on hold pending the conclusion of consultations and the issuance of a final directive by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    The OSGF further clarified that any enforcement or action carried out by NAFDAC or any other agency on the matter without due clearance from the office should be regarded as null and void, and therefore disregarded by the public until an official decision is formally communicated.

    The statement assured Nigerians that relevant legislative resolutions, economic implications, public health concerns and broader national interest considerations are being carefully examined to arrive at a balanced, lawful and well-coordinated outcome.

    It added that the public would be duly informed once a final position on the matter is reached.

  • Nigeria joins global elite as NAFDAC secures ICH full membership

    Nigeria joins global elite as NAFDAC secures ICH full membership

    Nigeria’s health regulatory system has recorded a global breakthrough with far-reaching implications for medicine quality, access, and industry competitiveness following the full admission of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) into the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use.

    NAFDAC’s elevation was formally endorsed at the ICH Assembly meeting held in Singapore on November 18 and 19, and subsequently affirmed in a public statement issued by ICH on November 26.

    The upgrade from observer to full member places Nigeria among the world’s most advanced regulatory systems, with NAFDAC now able to contribute directly to global standard-setting while aligning local pharmaceutical manufacturing with internationally accepted best practices.

    With the elevation, Nigeria joins just 25 regulatory authorities worldwide participating fully in the development and implementation of harmonised scientific guidelines, marking a major leap for the country’s pharmaceutical governance and industry competitiveness.

    Out of 194 regulators globally, this elevation sets Nigeria apart and strengthens its leadership role in Africa, the agency’s Director General (DG) Prof Mojisola Adeyeye said, adding that the transition means stronger assurance of safe, high-quality, and effective medicines.

    Local patients will benefit from quicker access to innovative therapies because ICH alignment improves regulatory efficiency and strengthens the credibility of approvals, she noted.

    Additionally, she noted that for pharmaceutical manufacturers, full membership opens the door to expanded regional and global markets, deeper collaborations with multinational firms, and increased foreign investment confidence.

    The DG, in a statement on Friday, recalled that the pathway to this achievement began in late 2022 when NAFDAC was encouraged to apply for observer status.

    Read Also: NAFDAC destroys N20bn worth of fake, substandard drugs in Ibadan

    According to her, the application was successful, and the agency participated in the 2023 ICH meeting in Vancouver, where it made a formal presentation.

    She, however, explained that observership came with a list of requirements, setting the stage for a series of capacity-building activities that demonstrated NAFDAC’s technical competence.

    Noting that over the next two years, NAFDAC received training on multiple guidelines and played active roles in expert working groups, Adeyeye said a decisive milestone was reached in April 2025 following an international ICH M13A workshop hosted in Lagos.

    She said the event brought together manufacturers and connected virtually with heads of regulatory agencies across the region, adding that Northeastern University in Boston and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation provided crucial technical support for the training programmes that strengthened NAFDAC’s compliance capacity.

    She attributed NAFDAC’s success to sustained leadership, structured planning, and the technical expertise of its staff, who contributed to expert working groups, participated in scientific reviews, and delivered high-value regulatory input.

    She stressed that the agency noted that its teams demonstrated the competence expected of members, setting standards that protect public health globally.

    The DG affirmed that full membership reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to implementing ICH guidelines, supporting pharmaceutical innovation, strengthening local regulation, and promoting transparency and science-based decisions.

    It also advances the African Medicines Agency vision and enhances Nigeria’s role as a strategic partner within the continent, she noted, while pledging the agency’s determination to intensify efforts to safeguard public health with strengthened global collaboration.

  • Health coalition backs NAFDAC as FG set to enforce ban on sachet alcohol beverages

    Health coalition backs NAFDAC as FG set to enforce ban on sachet alcohol beverages

    The Coalition for Healthy Food Advocacy (CHFA) has backed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) ahead of its December ban and January 2026 enforcement of the nationwide restriction on sachet and small-volume alcoholic beverages.

    The coalition, therefore, urged manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and market associations to ensure full compliance with the directive.

    It also called on security agencies and state governments to support NAFDAC in monitoring markets, eliminating illegal production, and preventing the banned products from re-entering circulation.

    The coalition also encouraged sustained public awareness to ensure communities understand the health reasons behind the ban.

    The coalition said the ban represents a necessary step to protect children, curb non-communicable diseases, and strengthen Nigeria’s food environment.

    In a press statement on Thursday, the coalition warned that the continued circulation of cheap, high-strength alcohol in sachets and containers below 200 millilitres poses serious risks to young people and low-income communities.

    It noted that those products have long been associated with early alcohol initiation because they are inexpensive, potent, and widely available in informal markets where age limits are rarely enforced.

    Enforcing the ban, it said, is essential to shield children and adolescents from exposure that can lead to lifelong health and social consequences.

    The coalition recalled that NAFDAC’s enforcement follows a five-year moratorium agreed in 2018 between the agency, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and beverage manufacturers, noting that the phased transition was intended to give producers adequate time to discontinue the high-risk packaging formats.

    According to community accounts gathered by the coalition, sachet alcohol has disproportionately harmed low-income neighbourhoods.

    CHFA explained that alcohol contributes to more than two hundred disease and injury conditions, including liver disease, hypertension, stroke, several cancers, and poorer outcomes for people living with diabetes.

    It noted that products sold in sachets or other small containers often carry high alcohol concentration and are typically consumed quickly, encouraging binge drinking and increasing the risk of road crashes, unsafe sexual behaviour, poisoning, and premature death.

    Beyond medical risks, the coalition highlighted alcohol’s broader impact on diet and nutrition, warning that consumption can displace healthy foods, fuel cravings for salty and fatty snacks, impair nutrient absorption, and worsen glycaemic control.

    Removing sachet alcohol, it said, supports ongoing national nutrition policies such as sodium reduction, trans-fat elimination, and the push for Front-of-Pack Labelling.

    The coalition also drew attention to the economic burden of harmful alcohol use, citing evidence of rising healthcare expenditure, productivity losses, road traffic injuries, and social disruption.

    It argued that these costs far outweigh revenues generated from alcohol sales and that protecting young people from harmful exposure is vital to strengthening Nigeria’s human capital and ensuring sustainable economic growth.

    The group quoted Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, as saying these communities have endured alcohol-fuelled violence, addiction, and worsening economic hardship.

    Oluwafemi said the ban underscores that public health must take precedence over profit and urged industry operators to support full compliance.

    Quoting Dr Jerome Mafeni, Lead Technical Advisor at the Network for Health Equity and Development and Secretariat Lead for CHFA, the statement said removing sachet alcohol aligns with measures aimed at preventing hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

    He maintained that a healthier population is central to national development and that alcohol-related harm imposes a far heavier economic burden than industry stakeholders acknowledge.

    According to CHFA, eliminating sachet alcohol from the market is a necessary step toward building a healthier, safer, and more productive Nigeria.

  • NAFDAC destroys N20bn worth of fake, substandard drugs in Ibadan

    NAFDAC destroys N20bn worth of fake, substandard drugs in Ibadan

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Southwest Zone, on Thursday destroyed counterfeit, substandard, and unwholesome pharmaceutical products valued at N20 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    According to the agency, the routine destruction exercise aligns with its mandate to prevent expired, falsified, and unsafe medical products—as well as other NAFDAC-regulated items—from being reintroduced into circulation.

    Speaking during the exercise, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health by eliminating illicit drugs, falsified medical products, unwholesome foods, and unsafe chemicals from the Nigerian market.

    Adeyeye, who was represented by the Deputy Director of the Pharmaceutical Division (Investigation and Enforcement), Papa Lagos, Mrs. Florence Uba, stressed that the agency would continue to intensify efforts to rid the country of all harmful and volatile products.

    She said, “The products being destroyed during this exercise are made up of Substandard and Falsified Medical Products, Unwholesome Processed Food products and food additives, Unsafe Cosmetics, Counterfeits, and other Expired NAFDAC Regulated Products seized by the Agency from manufacturers, importers, and distributors.

    “Up for destruction today are damaged and Expired products voluntarily handed over by compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Trade Unions, to the Agency.

    “The estimated street value of the products planned for destruction is N20,000,000,000 (twenty billion naira only.”

    She, however, commended the collaboration of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its continued support in the fight against counterfeiters.

    “Custom handed over 25 containers to be destroyed, which include various pharmaceutical products and a reefer container for this destruction.

    “My appreciation also goes to the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and all stakeholders who have united in the fight against Substandard and Falsified medicines and other unwholesome regulated products

    “To the community leaders, health practitioners, religious leaders, gentlemen of the press, and all Nigerians, it is imperative that you educate your families and wards about the dangers of patronizing quacks and unauthorised medicine dealers.

    “NAFDAC calls upon everyone to actively participate in this fight; it is a collective responsibility. Together, we can protect the health and safety of all Nigerians.”

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  • MAN urges NAFDAC to reconsider ban on sachet alcohol

    MAN urges NAFDAC to reconsider ban on sachet alcohol

    …warns of economic fallout

    The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to rescind the recent directive banning the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small PET bottles by December 31, 2025.

    This directive, which followed a resolution reportedly passed by the Senate on Thursday, November 6, was described by MAN as counterproductive and inconsistent with earlier stakeholder agreements.

    According to a statement by Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director-General of MAN, the decision runs contrary to the consensus reached among all stakeholders, including NAFDAC itself, during the validation of the National Alcohol Policy in October 2025.

    He said the Senate’s resolution was made without proper consultation or public hearings with key industry players, unlike the process adopted by the House of Representatives.

    Ajayi-Kadir explained that the validated policy had recommended multi-sectoral action plans, tighter enforcement, the establishment of licensed liquor outlets, stronger monitoring by regulatory agencies, and national enlightenment campaigns on responsible alcohol consumption, not an outright ban.

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    He also debunked claims that sachet alcohol promotes underage drinking, noting that independent studies commissioned by the government found no empirical evidence to support such claims. He added that the industry had invested over ₦1 billion in public awareness campaigns to discourage alcohol abuse among minors.

    The MAN chief warned that enforcing the ban could lead to massive economic disruption, including the loss of ₦1.9 trillion in investments, over 500,000 direct jobs, and approximately five million indirect jobs in marketing, logistics, and supply chains.

    Ajayi-Kadir further argued that sachet packaging allows low-income adult consumers to afford regulated alcoholic beverages in smaller, safer quantities, a measure that could actually reduce excessive consumption.

    He cautioned that the ban could fuel the spread of illicit, unregulated alcohol, as demand would shift to underground markets, increasing health and safety risks.

    He added that the measure might also open Nigeria’s market to smuggled foreign brands, hurting local manufacturers and depriving the government of valuable tax revenue.

    MAN therefore urged the Senate to withdraw its directive and allow the implementation of the validated National Alcohol Policy, emphasising that effective regulation and public education — not prohibition — remain the most sustainable solutions.

    “MAN supports measures that remove unsafe products from the market,” Ajayi-Kadir said. “However, such decisions must be driven by evidence, not emotion. Abrupt regulatory shifts can jeopardise jobs, livelihoods, and national economic stability.”

    He reaffirmed MAN’s commitment to ensuring compliance with all safety standards and promoting responsible alcohol consumption across the country.

  • FG, NAFDAC double down on maternal deaths, malnutrition, fake drugs with three new initiatives

    FG, NAFDAC double down on maternal deaths, malnutrition, fake drugs with three new initiatives

    By Dele Anofi and Haggai Daniel, Abuja

    The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing maternal and child mortality, revealing that Nigeria has recorded a 17 percent decline in deaths among women during childbirth.

    The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said that though the progress is not enough considering the country’s population, it is a remarkable improvement in the quest to eradicate the scourge.

    “In the last two years, there have been some signs of early improvement, but a lot more is ahead of us. Maternal mortality rate in most of our local government areas has reduced by 17 percent, according to recent data, and newborn deaths have also dropped by 10 percent. 

    “But that’s not enough considering the size of our country and the depth of our problem,” he said.

    Pate spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during the unveiling of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control’s (NAFDAC) three major initiatives aimed at improving nutrition, strengthening public health systems, and combating substandard and falsified medicines.

    According to Pate, recent data from 172 local government areas show a 17 percent decline in maternal mortality and a 10 percent reduction in newborn deaths over the past two years.

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    While describing the improvement as encouraging, he cautioned that much more needs to be done given Nigeria’s population size and persistent health challenges.

    Pate identified malnutrition as a major contributor to child deaths, noting that the new Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health + Nutrition (MNCH+N) Initiative would ensure pregnant women, newborns, and young children have access to essential nutrition and health products.

    “This effort will contribute to improving maternal and child survival because families will have access to quality products when they need them,” he said.

    He also commended the launch of the National Action Plan on the Prevention, Detection, and Response to Substandard and Falsified Medical Products, describing it as crucial to safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

    According to him, substandard medicines fuel antimicrobial resistance, undermine public confidence, and cost lives.

    Pate praised NAFDAC for maintaining the World Health Organization’s Maturity Level 3 regulatory status, which confirms Nigeria’s strong oversight capacity for medical product quality.

    He stressed that improving health outcomes requires collective effort from government, development partners, the private sector, professional bodies, and communities.

    Hon. Regina Akume, Chair of the House of Representatives Committee on NAFDAC, described the launch as a milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to enhance maternal and child health and nutrition.

    “This renewed focus is both timely and essential as it reinforces our national commitment to safeguarding mothers and children, ensuring that every pregnancy is safe, every child is healthy, and every family can thrive,” she said.

    Akume commended NAFDAC for establishing the Office for Women and Children’s Health (NOWCH), which she said will serve as a platform for promoting inclusive health policies and coordinating programmes addressing the needs of women and children.

    She also lauded the National Action Plan on Substandard and Falsified Medical Products as a strategic framework that will ensure only safe and effective medical products reach Nigerians.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office, represented by Omotayo Hamzat, Supply Chain Management Officer at UNICEF Nigeria, described NAFDAC’s initiatives as evidence of the agency’s “unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health of Nigerians.”

    Hamzat said the action plan would strengthen interagency collaboration, intelligence sharing, and rapid response mechanisms to ensure every medicine and vaccine in circulation meets quality and safety standards.

    “Protecting mothers and children is not only a moral imperative but the foundation of national development,” he said, commending NAFDAC’s leadership and partnership with WHO and other development agencies.

    Mrs. Rodio Diallo of the Gates Foundation also applauded the initiative, describing it as vital to protecting the health and well-being of women and newborns.

    Warning that substandard medicines undermine public trust and can turn preventable conditions into fatal outcomes, Diallo said, “Each year, Nigeria loses thousands of women to pregnancy-related causes.

    “Behind these figures are families and communities irreversibly changed by preventable losses. Every medicine that reaches a mother’s hand should heal, protect, and save.

    “Safeguarding the quality, safety, and efficacy of maternal and newborn health commodities is synonymous with safeguarding lives.”

    Earlier, NAFDAC Director General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said the three initiatives mark a defining moment in Nigeria’s health sector, particularly for women and children who remain the most vulnerable.

    The MNCH+N Initiative, the Office for Women and Children’s Health (NOWCH), and the National Action Plan on Substandard and Falsified Medical Products (2023–2027), she explained, are interconnected pillars designed to strengthen regulation, enhance nutrition, and promote maternal and child safety.

    “These efforts reflect NAFDAC’s vision, a vision where no mother dies from preventable causes, no child suffers from malnutrition, and no patient is harmed by falsified medical products,” Adeyeye said.

    She called for stronger collaboration among development partners, private sector actors, and civil society to ensure that access to safe medicines, adequate nutrition, and quality healthcare becomes a guaranteed right for every Nigerian.

  • NAFDAC set January 2026 enforcement of alcohol in satchels, small bottles total ban

    NAFDAC set January 2026 enforcement of alcohol in satchels, small bottles total ban

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has given a December 2025 deadline for the total ban of the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small glass or PET bottles below 200 millilitres.

    The Director General (DG) of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye,  said the full enforcement of the ban will begin by January 2026, asserting that there will be no further extension of the moratorium, which has undergone several shifts, with the last one occurring in December 2024.

    The move, backed by the Senate and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, according to her, is aimed at protecting public health and shielding children, adolescents, and young adults from the harmful effects of alcohol abuse.

    According to Adeyeye, the ban becomes imperative considering the widespread availability of high-alcohol-content beverages in small, cheap, and easily concealable packaging which has worsened addiction rates among young Nigerians and commercial drivers. 

    This, she said, has fuelled social vices including domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other forms of insecurity.

    “This ban is not punitive, it is protective. We cannot continue to sacrifice the well-being of Nigerians, especially our children, for short-term economic gain. The health of the nation is its true wealth,” she said

    She clarified that the regulation affects only two categories of packaging, spirit drinks in sachets and small glass bottles with a capacity of less than 200 ml, while calling on all manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to comply fully with the December 2025 deadline, warning that no further extensions would be granted.

    The DG said the decision to phase out small-volume alcohol packaging dates back to December 2018 when NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and industry stakeholders, including the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), signed a five-year agreement to end the practice by January 2024.

    “However, the moratorium was extended to December 2025 to give manufacturers time to exhaust old stock and reconfigure production lines. 

    “However, the new Senate resolution aligns with both the initial agreement and Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol (Resolution WHA63.13, 2010), to which the country is a signatory.”

    To underscore the gravity of the issue, the DG stressed that concerns about job losses pale in comparison to the far-reaching consequences of alcohol abuse among the nation’s youth.

    She reminded industry players that they were given a five-year transition period, adding, “Job loss was raised in 2018, and we extended the phase-out period to allow adequate planning. How long will we continue to cite job loss while our children are dying and becoming addicts?

    “Children drinking alcohol is a ticking time bomb. Research shows that children who become addicted to alcohol are more likely to progress to hard drugs. That poses a national security threat,” she stressed.

    Addressing enforcement challenges, Adeyeye said NAFDAC now operates a far stronger enforcement framework than in previous years, with support from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other agencies.

    Adeyeye disclosed that the ONSA has partnered with NAFDAC to ensure strict enforcement, “During our February 9 operation in markets such as Idumota, Aba, and Onitsha, the NSA provided 1,350 personnel who worked with us for several weeks,” she said.

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    She also noted that the Director of NAFDAC’s Enforcement Directorate now chairs the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Substandard Products, inaugurated recently by the Minister of Health, while similar task forces have been activated across the 36 States and the FCT.

    “Yes, we are short-staffed, but the government is listening. Despite our lean workforce, our officers are doing the work of four or five people each because we must safeguard the health of the nation.”

    She disclosed that the agency has been approved to recruit 1000 workers to boost its work strength 

    She, however, noted that NAFDAC pledged to continue collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health, FCCPC, and the National Orientation Agency to intensify public sensitization campaigns on the health and social dangers of alcohol misuse.

    “The ban is rooted in science, public health, and national interest. It is about protecting our children, our future workforce, and our nation’s stability. This is a collective responsibility, not just for NAFDAC, but for all Nigerians,” the DG stressed.