A nationwide survey by Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has pinpointed Rivers and Lagos States as hotspots for underage alcohol consumption, with minors frequently accessing alcohol in small sachet and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle formats. The findings highlight a persistent challenge in curbing youth access to alcohol despite legal age restrictions.
The study, conducted from June to August 2021 in collaboration with the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria and executed by Research and Data Solutions Ltd, surveyed 1,788 respondents across six states. It analyzed alcohol procurement and drinking patterns among minors (under 13 years), underaged individuals (13–17 years), and adults (18 years and above), reflecting Nigeria’s legal drinking age of 18.
NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, presenting the report, stated that alcohol remains “one of the most widely used substances of abuse among youths,” with easy availability driving consumption among minors. The survey revealed that 54.3% of minor and underage respondents obtained alcohol themselves. Nearly half, 49.9%, purchased drinks in sachets or PET bottles, with Rivers State recording the highest rates at 68.0% for sachets and 64.5% for PET bottles. Lagos followed with 52.3% and 47.7%, respectively, while Kaduna showed lower rates at 38.6% and 28.4%. Sachet purchases were more common among males (51.4%) than females (41.5%) and in rural areas (50.1%) versus urban areas (45.3%).
Beyond direct purchases, minors accessed alcohol from friends and relatives (49.9%), social gatherings (45.9%), and parents’ homes (21.7%). Among self-purchasers, 47.2% of minors and 48.8% of underaged respondents bought sachets, while 41.2% of minors and 47.2% of underaged opted for PET bottles. Regarding frequency, 63.2% of minors and 54.0% of underaged persons were occasional drinkers, yet daily consumption was reported by 9.3% of minors and 25.2% of underaged respondents.
The report advocates for stricter regulatory measures, specifically recommending a ban on alcohol pack sizes below 200 millilitres to limit concealment and accessibility. It also urges parents, teachers, religious leaders, and communities to treat underage drinking as a critical issue requiring immediate attention. Emphasizing the need for sustained efforts, the survey calls for targeted policy interventions and public awareness campaigns to address this trend in both urban and rural communities across Nigeria, aiming to reduce alcohol-related risks among young people.
