The Federal Government has directed NAFDAC to immediately suspend all enforcement actions relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic products, ordering the agency to stop sealing factories and warehouses.
The directive was issued Wednesday in a statement by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), following a joint intervention by the Office of the SGF and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
"Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the ongoing ban on sachet alcohol are to be suspended pending the final consultations and implementation of the National Alcohol Policy and the issuance of a final directive," the statement read.
Both offices expressed concerns over the security implications of continued enforcement in the absence of a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy. While the policy has been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health on President Bola Tinubu's directive, officials insisted NAFDAC must refrain from enforcement until full implementation.
The government warned that continued sealing of warehouses and factories over the "de facto ban" without a harmonized policy framework was already causing economic disruptions and posing security risks, particularly impacting jobs, supply chains, and informal distribution networks nationwide.
The directive reinforces an earlier suspension issued by the SGF's office in December 2025. The SGF's office also cited a November 13, 2025 letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control raising concerns over NAFDAC's enforcement actions and referencing existing National Assembly resolutions.
The government stated it is reviewing legislative resolutions, public health considerations, economic implications, and national interest factors surrounding the matter. The involvement of the National Security Adviser underscores that the issue has transcended regulatory concerns, with warnings that premature enforcement could destabilize communities, worsen unemployment, and trigger security challenges.
Nigerians and industry stakeholders have been assured that a final decision will be communicated after consultations and inter-agency coordination.
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