The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has agreed to temporarily lift the ban on the production and distribution of sachet alcoholic beverages in Nigeria. This decision comes after substantial pressure from various stakeholders, including the House of Representatives, which intervened to address the economic impact of the ban.
NAFDAC had originally implemented the ban to combat rising drug abuse, particularly among young Nigerians. However, recognizing the economic significance of these products, both to manufacturers and the broader economy, stakeholders pushed for reconsideration. In February 2024, the House mandated its committee on NAFDAC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the ban.
Deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, announced the resolution on June 14, 2024, following discussions between the House Committee and NAFDAC officials. Agbese emphasized that the ban would be temporarily lifted until the economy recovers fully.
Agbese highlighted that the decision was based on inputs from various stakeholders, including NAFDAC, civil society organizations, and the organized private sector. He noted that the original timing of the ban was deemed inappropriate given the current economic conditions, compounded by the impacts of COVID-19 and other economic challenges that hindered the industry’s ability to comply with NAFDAC’s terms. The temporary lifting of the ban aims to balance public health concerns with economic realities.