Office of SGF halts NAFDAC action on small-pack alcohol sales amid National Assembly concerns, pending final review of proposed ban.
The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has ordered an immediate suspension of all enforcement actions related to Nigeria’s planned ban on sachet alcohol products, officials said on Tuesday December 16, 2025.
The directive effectively pauses implementation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other regulatory bodies, pending a full review of the policy. According to Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, any action taken without clearance from the SGF should be considered invalid and disregarded by the public.
The move comes after renewed concerns from the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, which questioned NAFDAC’s readiness to enforce the ban. Lawmakers have repeatedly urged a pause, emphasizing the need for thorough evaluation and coordination before nationwide enforcement.
The issue centers on NAFDAC’s initial plan to prohibit the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and containers smaller than 200 milliliters by December 2025. Authorities cited public safety concerns, particularly the misuse of cheap, small-pack alcohol among young people and drivers.
Read Also: NAFDAC Bans Sachets, 200ml Bottles Effective January 1, 2026
A formal letter from December 1, 2025, authored by Permanent Secretary Mohammed Danjuma, requested comments from the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and NAFDAC to enable the SGF to make an informed decision. The current suspension reflects the government’s intention to carefully balance public health, legal considerations, and economic impact.
“The matter is under careful review and is being handled in a balanced, lawful, and well-coordinated manner,” Kuanum said. “The public will be updated once a final position is reached.”
NAFDAC and other regulatory agencies have been instructed not to proceed with enforcement in the meantime, signaling that the government is taking a cautious approach in response to parliamentary oversight and public interest concerns.
Observers note that the suspension highlights the challenges of regulating small-pack alcohol in Nigeria, where such products are widely consumed and play a role in local economies. The SGF’s intervention underscores the government’s emphasis on policy coordination and legislative engagement before imposing nationwide bans.
