Nigeria’s government has declared its intention to implement a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets smaller than 200ml, effective from February 1, 2024. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), made this announcement in a recent press release.

The initial deadline for ceasing the production of these small-sized alcoholic drinks in sachets and PET bottles was set for 2018 and lapsed on January 31, 2024. This decision follows the recommendations of a joint committee comprising the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and industry representatives from the Association of Food, Beverages, and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN).

Adeyeye highlighted the agreement reached by producers to gradually reduce production by 5% from January 31, 2022, with a complete phase-out by January 31, 2024, as a demonstration of their commitment to the decision.