The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced a nationwide crackdown on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and containers below 200ml, citing concerns over their accessibility to minors.

The agency said the latest phase of enforcement would target markets, motor parks, shops, bars, warehouses and distribution centres, with officials moving beyond manufacturers to retail points where the prohibited products can still be obtained.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos on Monday, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the agency would use seizures, intelligence gathering and continuous surveillance to remove the products from circulation.

Adeyeye said research that informed the government’s policy showed that 47.2 per cent of minors and 48.8 per cent of underage consumers who purchased alcoholic drinks obtained them in sachets.

She added that 41.2 per cent of minors and 47.2 per cent of underage consumers procured alcohol in PET bottles.

According to the NAFDAC boss, the figures demonstrate the extent to which the small packaging formats contribute to the accessibility of alcohol among children and young people.

She clarified that the government’s policy was not a general prohibition on alcohol consumption but was specifically aimed at small packaging formats containing alcoholic products that can be sold cheaply and carried easily.

NAFDAC adopted a phased enforcement strategy, beginning with manufacturers before expanding operations across the distribution chain.

The first phase commenced in January 2026, with the agency targeting manufacturers and removing prohibited products found at production facilities for destruction.

The second phase, which began in July, extended enforcement to markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and distribution centres.

Adeyeye stressed that the operation would continue indefinitely and would not be limited to a short-term exercise.

She warned manufacturers, distributors and retailers against attempting to evade the ban, saying companies found producing prohibited pack sizes could face heavy fines and permanent closure of their facilities.

The latest enforcement followed an Irrevocable Enforcement Undertaking signed by the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and their member companies.

Under the agreement, manufacturers affected by the ban are required to immediately withdraw sachet and sub-200ml PET alcoholic products from distributors, warehouses and other locations along the supply chain.

The recalled products will be inventoried and destroyed under NAFDAC’s supervision, with the manufacturers responsible for the cost.

Adeyeye said facilities shut for violating the regulation would only be allowed to reopen after NAFDAC verifies that the production lines used for the prohibited products have been dismantled, permanently disabled or reconfigured.

She disclosed that the three largest manufacturers, which account for about 80 per cent of the market, had complied with the directive in the two weeks preceding the briefing.

Seven companies, she added, had fully met the requirements.

The agency said the volume of prohibited products available in markets had already begun to decline as enforcement intensified.

NAFDAC warned that companies that fail to comply could face prolonged closure, placement on its Regulatory Watchlist, suspension or cancellation of product registrations and criminal prosecution where applicable.

The prohibition followed years of discussions between the government and alcoholic beverage manufacturers.

NAFDAC first raised concerns in 2018 over the availability of high-alcohol-content drinks in sachets and small bottles, citing their affordability, portability and accessibility to minors.

A five-year transition period was subsequently agreed in December 2018, giving manufacturers until January 31, 2024, to adjust their production lines and move towards larger packaging formats.

Enforcement began after the initial deadline expired but faced opposition from industry stakeholders and intervention by the National Assembly.

The Federal Government later extended the transition period until December 31, 2025.

The full prohibition came into effect on January 1, 2026, covering alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets, PET or plastic bottles below 200ml and glass bottles below 200ml.

Adeyeye said manufacturers had been given sufficient time to comply with the regulation during the extended transition period.

She urged members of the public to report the production, distribution or sale of prohibited alcoholic beverages to NAFDAC through its official channels or at the agency’s nearest office.

The agency said it would continue collaborating with relevant government institutions and industry stakeholders until the banned products are completely removed from circulation.