The Senate has ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to go ahead with its planned ban on high-strength alcoholic drinks sold in sachets — starting December 2025.
Lawmakers say there will be no more extensions beyond the current grace period.
The decision followed a motion from Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, who urged the Senate to stop any attempt to delay the phase-out.
He reminded his colleagues that NAFDAC had already agreed with industry players back in 2018 to gradually end sachet-packaged alcohol because of growing health and social concerns.
The main worry, he said, is that the cheap and easily available sachet drinks are being abused — especially by children, teenagers, and commercial drivers.
Senator Ekpeyong noted that manufacturers had already been given an extra one-year grace period in 2024 to clear their stock and move to safer packaging.
He added that fresh calls by some companies for another delay would only weaken regulators and put public health at risk.
With this resolution, the Senate is backing NAFDAC’s plan to fully end sachet alcohol sales by December 2025 — part of a wider effort to curb harmful drinking habits and protect vulnerable groups.
