By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Federal Government has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to immediately suspend all enforcement actions related to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages in 200ml PET bottles, halting factory closures and warehouse sealing linked to the policy.
The directive, issued on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, was contained in a statement by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
It followed a joint intervention by the Office of the SGF and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), which raised concerns that enforcing the ban in the absence of a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy could create economic disruption and security risks.
Under the order, NAFDAC must refrain from sealing factories or warehouses and stop public enforcement efforts connected to the controversial policy until further notice.
The government said the National Alcohol Policy has been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health but is not yet fully operational, and continued enforcement could hurt jobs, supply chains and informal distribution networks nationwide.
The suspension echoes an earlier SGF order from December 2025, which also directed a pause on enforcement pending stakeholder consultations and a final decision on the matter.
Industry and labour groups had protested the ban, warning it could lead to high unemployment and economic instability, while public health advocates have argued that limiting sachet sales is necessary to curb underage alcohol consumption and misuse.
The Federal Government said it will take time to review the policy, legislative resolutions and broader national interest issues before issuing a final directive.
