Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
VICTORY FOR MANUFACTURERS: Tinubu Govt Halts NAFDAC Crackdown on Sachet Alcohol
In a major turn of events today, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the Federal Government of Nigeria has officially ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to immediately suspend its enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages in PET bottles smaller than 200ml.
The directive, which effectively halts the nationwide crackdown that began in late January, comes as a significant relief to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and thousands of workers in the distilling sector.
The Directive from the SGF’s Office
The suspension was communicated through a statement by Terrence Kuanum, the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). The government has instructed NAFDAC to:
- Immediately cease all enforcement actions related to the sachet alcohol ban.
- Stop the sealing of factories and warehouses across the country.
- Invalidate any enforcement measures taken without explicit clearance from the Office of the SGF.
Why the Sudden U-Turn?
The Presidency cited two major reasons for stepping in:
- Economic Stability: The government expressed grave concern over potential job losses, disruptions to supply chains, and the impact on the informal economy during a sensitive economic period.
- Security Risks: In a joint intervention with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the government warned that continued enforcement could “destabilize communities” and trigger avoidable security challenges.
The Legal & Policy Context
This intervention highlights a friction between regulatory zeal and legislative oversight.
- Legislative Intervention: The SGF’s office referenced a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control (dated November 13, 2025), which cautioned NAFDAC against the ban, citing existing National Assembly resolutions.
- National Alcohol Policy: While President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Alcohol Policy, the government insists that NAFDAC must wait for the full implementation framework and final consultations before taking punitive actions.
- Regulatory Backstory: NAFDAC had previously argued that the ban was necessary to protect minors and public health, noting that a five-year moratorium given to manufacturers in 2018 had already expired.
Note: This suspension reinforces a previous directive from December 2025. It effectively places the ban on hold indefinitely until a “definitive directive” is issued by the Presidency.
