NOA. NAFDAC, FCCPC, Collaborate To Curb Underaged Access To Alcohol.

A nationwide enforcement and sensitization campaign has been launched by the National Orientation Agency(NOA) and the Nationalt Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) on the ban of sachet alcoholic drinks.

This decision was reached by the  organizations when a fresh data revealed the alarming levels of underage alcohol consumption across the country.

The campaign, which was flagged off at the headquarters of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Abuja, is being implemented in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

The Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, while speaking described the initiative as a united front by the three agencies to protect young Nigerians from harmful consumption patterns and promote responsible market practices.

Oniru who noted that before now, NAFDAC, had banned the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets as well as in PET and glass bottles below 200 millilitres, with effect from January 1, 2026, stated that such decision by NAFDAC was geared towards reducing the access of underaged to such alcohol.

"Sachet alcohol is inexpensive, portable, and easy to conceal, factors that have made it particularly attractive and accessible to minors and other vulnerable groups. The NOA DG stated 

“Prevention is better than a cure. It is far less costly to prevent harm than to repair damage,” he said, stressing that the government has both a constitutional and moral obligation to act before the social and health consequences of alcohol abuse become entrenched.

While NAFDAC will lead regulatory enforcement, FCCPC is expected to ensure compliance with consumer protection and fair market standards. NOA, on its part, will drive nationwide sensitisation and behavioural change campaigns to ensure grassroots awareness and compliance.

To achieve this, the agency said it would deploy its 818 offices across the 774 local government areas of the federation. Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers will engage youth groups, transport unions, market associations, artisans, schools, and faith-based organisations, particularly in rural communities.

The campaign will also utilise television, radio, digital platforms, and social media, while citizens are encouraged to report violations through the NOA CLHEEAN App.

At the briefing, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, raised fresh concerns over growing underage alcohol consumption, citing findings from a 2021, ,  national survey conducted across six states representing the geo-political zones.

The study, sponsored by the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria and conducted by Research and Data Solutions Ltd, Abuja, surveyed 1,788 respondents between June and August 2021.

"54.3 per cent of minors and underaged respondents procure alcohol themselves, with" 49.9 per cent purchasing from retailers selling sachets and small PET bottles. She revealed 

"The survey showed that 47.2 per cent of minors and 48.8 per cent of underaged persons who buy alcohol themselves opt for sachet packs, while 41.2 per cent of minors" and 47.2 per cent of underaged respondents purchase PET bottles. About 27.6 per cent of underage respondents buy alcohol in glass bottles.

In addition, 49.9 per cent of minors access alcohol through friends and relatives, 45.9 per cent at social gatherings, and 21.7 per cent from their parents’ homes.

On consumption patterns, 63.2 per cent of minors and 54.0 per cent of underaged persons drink occasionally.

However, 9.3 per cent of minors and 25.2 per cent of underaged respondents consume alcohol daily, while 2.5 per cent of minors and 11.7 per cent of underaged children reported binge drinking, with the highest prevalence recorded in Gombe, the Federal Capital Territory, and Anambra states.


The NAFDAC DG revealed that such trends was as a result of peer influence,  pressure, parental influence, emotional distress, and easy  access to alcohol outlets, and exposure to advertisements.


She warned that underage drinking can damage brain development, increase the risk of alcohol poisoning, liver and kidney diseases, mental health disorders, and long-term addiction

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