“Cheap Alcohol Fuels Banditry”: NAFDAC Chief Stands Firm on Sachet Ban

Nigeria’s top food and drug regulator has linked the widespread availability of pocket-sized alcohol directly to violent crime and a mounting public health crisis.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), warned that indiscriminate alcohol abuse is actively emboldening criminal elements, including armed bandits, across the country.

Health Risks and National Insecurity

According to Adeyeye, high-strength alcohol acts as a dangerous catalyst for aggression, lowering inhibitions and feeding communal unrest.

Beyond its toll on security, she highlighted the severe physical damage caused by heavy consumption, noting that the substance systematically destroys vital human organs—most notably the brain, liver, and kidneys.

Why the 200ml Cutoff Matters

The agency’s primary target is the outright prohibition of alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles smaller than 200ml.

Adeyeye explained that while small-format alcohol received regulatory approval decades ago, it has since spiraled out of control. Because sachets are cheap and easy to conceal, they have become dangerously accessible to underage school children and commercial drivers.

 

“Although the ban on the sale of alcohol in sachets and PET bottles of less than 200ml did not sit well with some people, Nigerians are concerned about the future of their children” she said.

 

Industry Pushback and the Road Ahead

The policy faces fierce resistance from beverage manufacturers and labor unions, who argue that halting production lines will kill investments and cost thousands of factory jobs during a severe economic crunch.

NAFDAC, however, maintains that public welfare outweighs commercial profit. While packaging bans alone will not eradicate banditry or substance abuse, the regulator has drawn its line: curbing ultra-cheap, high-proof liquor is an urgent national necessity.