SGF orders the suspension of sachet alcohol ban till further notice
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has ordered a suspension of all enforcement actions related to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol products, at least for now.
SGF directs suspension of sachet alcohol ban
The directive follows a formal correspondence from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, which raised concerns about the planned enforcement by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
According to a statement issued by the SGF’s Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Terrence Kuanum, the matter is under careful review.
NAFDAC enforcement on hold amid National Assembly concerns
The statement further clarified that “any action or enforcement undertaken by NAFDAC or any other agency on this matter without due clearance and resolution by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is of no effect and should be disregarded by the public until a final decision is formally communicated.”
Until then, any enforcement actions by NAFDAC or other agencies are of no effect and should be disregarded by the public.
The move comes shortly after NAFDAC announced it would prohibit the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and bottles smaller than 200 millilitres by December 2025, citing concerns over the misuse of cheap alcohol among youths and drivers.
Renewed pressure from the National Assembly played a role in the SGF’s decision, as lawmakers have repeatedly asked NAFDAC to pause the ban.
A letter dated December 1, 2025, from the Permanent Secretary (General Services), Mohammed Danjuma, requested the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and NAFDAC to provide comments to allow the SGF to make an informed decision.
In the statement, the SGF assured Nigerians that the matter is being handled in a balanced, lawful, and well-coordinated manner and promised that the public would be updated once a final position is reached.
