With the window set for accommodating the sales of minuscule packs of alcoholic beverages reaching its 31 January 2024 deadline, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has moved on to the next crucial stage, which involves enforcing the ban.

The moment that led to the ban happened in December 2018 when a clique of federal agencies, including NAFDAC, agreed with the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) to cut down the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small-volume containers of 200ml and below.

Having initially started with a move to withdraw from production gradually by five percent starting from January 2022, the parties were united that in two years, the distillers would have stopped their production of the mini packs but that is not what has happened.

As it is, the under-aged and commercial vehicle drivers and riders, which NAFDAC identified as being primarily exposed to alcohol abuse, are still unprotected. This is why the agency has shown an invigorated thirst to confront those operating within the value chain and that includes both the manufacturers and roadside retailers that sell drinks.

It is the affordability of the sachet drinks or bottled variants that has made expunging them off the retailer’s shelves somewhat difficult.

Alcoholic drinks in sachets, PET and glass bottles are pocket-friendly and can easily be carried around, by the under-aged (including primary and secondary school children) without notice, says NAFDAC’s Director General Prof. Moji Adeyeye in a Monday statement.

It is easily affordable and comes handy for commercial bus drivers, keke riders, okada riders, etc who after taking them (constitute a nuisance to society).

The negative impact of the harmful consumption of alcohol which is occasioned by its being economical, easily accessible and miniature in nature, prompted NAFDAC to take the bold step of banning it, in order to save our children and to protect the health of the larger society.

The main reason for calling this press conference is to intimate you of the Government policy of banning the importation, manufacture, distribution, sale and use of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET and Glass bottles of 200ml and below.

As (of 31st January) 2024, there is no alcoholic beverage in these categories that are registered by NAFDAC. I also want to inform you that the agency has started enforcement actions to enforce the implementation of this policy. The window period given to manufacturers by NAFDAC to sell off all alcoholic drinks in this category elapsed on the 31st January 2024.

 To this end on the first day, after the elapse of the window period, the agency commenced nationwide enforcement actions on the 1st February 2024 to enforce the implementation of the new policy. The manufacturers and printers of labels and packaging materials were the initial targets.

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Even though a NAFDAC statement confirmed an earlier agreement with the distillers and blenders association to implement discontinuation of their production within a timeline, the members have found themselves protesting the ongoing ban.

According to reports, the group has revealed interest in gathering at the NAFDAC’s Lagos office in order to show their resentment of the permanent restriction that has been imposed on them.

The protest is understandable considering the huge demand for such easily accessed beverages, which aids the producers to make extraordinary profit.

A wide youth demography patronising their brands will make withdrawing a difficult task to achieve it seems.

This in addition to the dwindling disposable income of consumers occasioned by rising consumer costs that have galloped in the last eight months. Many consumer goods are now being packaged in miniature packs to enhance access.

An X-based tweet where NAFDAC was listing the consequences for going against its rule reads that manufacturers were given a transition period to phase out existing stock, which has now ended.

So, starting February 1, 2024, nationwide enforcement actions have been initiated, targeting both producers and distributors found in violation of the ban.

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.