Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) including the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED) and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) have thrown their weight behind the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control’s (NAFDAC) ban on small-sized alcoholic beverages (sachets, PET bottles, glass bottles under 200ml) set for December 2025.
The CSOs say the ban is a crucial, overdue public health intervention aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s children, youths, and vulnerable populations from the harms of cheap, potent alcohol easily accessible due to aggressive marketing and packaging.
Dr. Jerome Mafeni of NHED pointed out the huge cost of alcohol-related harm addiction, violence, health problems and said it disproportionately impacts poor communities targeted by sachet alcohol marketing.
CAPPA Executive Director Akinbode Oluwafemi condemned claims by alcohol industry bodies like MAN that the ban would cause massive job losses and economic damage, calling these scare tactics “inflated and unverifiable.” He praised NAFDAC for standing firm despite corporate pressure.
The CSOs called on government agencies including ministries of health and finance, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and National Orientation Agency (NOA) to support smooth enforcement of the ban.
Oluwafemi urged further measures like increased taxes on sugary alcoholic drinks, marketing restrictions, clear labelling, and public education campaigns to curb alcohol-related harm.
“We call on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to see through the industry theatrics and protect the health of over 200 million Nigerians,” he said.
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