By John Dike, Osogbo
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has officially flagged off a Joint Nationwide Campaign to enforce the Federal Government’s ban on sachet alcoholic drinks and alcoholic beverages packaged in PET or glass bottles below 200 millilitres.
The campaign, launched at the NOA Headquarters 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). While NAFDAC leads regulatory enforcement and FCCPC ensures consumer protection compliance, NOA will spearhead nationwide public sensitisation and behavioural change efforts.
The Director-General of NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, described the campaign as a decisive national intervention aimed at safeguarding the health, safety and future of Nigerians — particularly young people who are most vulnerable to the dangers of cheap and easily accessible alcohol.
According to him, the Federal Government, through NAFDAC, has prohibited the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and in PET or glass bottles smaller than 200ml, effective January 1, 2026. The measure is designed to reduce underage access to high-concentration alcohol and curb harmful consumption patterns across communities nationwide.
Issa-Onilu emphasised that the enforcement did not come abruptly.
He noted that the government had engaged stakeholders in the alcohol industry for eight years, providing ample time for dialogue, adjustment and compliance.
“What is harmful to national wellbeing cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely,” he stated, stressing that public health considerations must override commercial interests.
He further highlighted the critical responsibility of the media in advancing the objectives of the campaign, describing the initiative as a matter of Development Journalism and shared national duty.
“When individuals openly violate lawful regulations and demonstrate against a public health policy designed to protect citizens, such actions should not be seen merely as protests against the Government of Nigeria,” he said.
“They are not demonstrating against the government; they are demonstrating against the Nigerian people — against you in the media, against your children and our children. This is about public protection.”
He clarified that the initiative extends beyond the three collaborating institutions.
“It is not just NAFDAC, FCCPC and NOA. It is NAFDAC, FCCPC, NOA — and the Media. You listen, you report, and you shape public understanding..
We may not invite the media to deliver speeches, but you are partners in safeguarding the nation,” the Director-General added.
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, cited findings from a 2021 national survey on underage drinking. The survey revealed that over 54 percent of minors and underaged persons purchase alcohol themselves, with nearly half accessing it through sachet packs and small PET bottles.
The findings also showed significant levels of daily and weekly alcohol consumption among minors, underscoring the urgency for firm regulatory action.
The FCCPC reaffirmed its readiness to stand firmly with NAFDAC to ensure strict compliance with the ban, reiterating that consumer protection and public welfare remain central to the national interest.
As the lead agency for nationwide sensitisation, NOA will deploy its 818 offices across the 774 Local Government Areas of the federation to drive grassroots awareness. Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers will engage youth groups, market associations, transport unions, schools, faith-based institutions and community leaders through town hall meetings, market outreaches and multilingual advocacy campaigns.
The Agency will further strengthen the campaign through sustained media engagement, digital platforms and the NOA CLHEEAN App, which enables citizens to report violations and support enforcement efforts.
The National Orientation Agency therefore calls on parents, guardians, community leaders, retailers, distributors and all citizens to support the enforcement of the ban and prioritise the wellbeing of Nigeria’s youth.
Through awareness, compliance and collective vigilance, NOA — in collaboration with NAFDAC and FCCPC — remains committed to building a healthier, safer and more responsible nation.
