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FG Begins Nationwide Crackdown on Sachet Alcohol to Curb Underage Drinking

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The Federal Government has commenced a nationwide enforcement campaign against the production, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and bottles below 200 millilitres, in a decisive move aimed at curbing underage drinking across the country.

The enforcement, which officially took effect on January 1, 2026, was formally flagged off in Abuja on Tuesday during a joint press briefing organised by the National Orientation Agency in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

SEE ALSO: NAFDAC Cracks Down On Alleged Expired Goods Ring In Niger, Seals 18 Warehouses

Speaking at the event, Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, said the renewed enforcement followed years of stakeholder consultations, multiple extensions, and alarming findings from national surveys on alcohol consumption among minors.

According to her, discussions on regulating high-concentration alcohol in sachets began in 2018 after industry groups raised concerns about the potential impact on their businesses.

The then Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, granted a five-year moratorium to allow manufacturers restructure their operations.

The grace period expired in February 2024, after which enforcement commenced.

However, further delays occurred following appeals by stakeholders and interventions at the National Assembly.

In December 2024, the current Minister of Health, Muhammad Pate, approved an additional one-year extension before the Senate directed that full enforcement should resume.

Alarming Findings on Underage Drinking
Adeyeye described the findings of recent surveys as “damning,” revealing that 54.3 per cent of minors and underage individuals obtain alcohol by themselves, while nearly half patronise retailers selling alcohol in sachets and small PET bottles.

She disclosed that about 50 per cent of children surveyed admitted to consuming alcohol, with many preferring sachets because they are affordable, portable and easy to conceal.

Children as young as nine years old were reportedly found to be consuming alcohol, with cases of binge drinking recorded in some states.

The NAFDAC boss warned that early alcohol consumption poses serious health risks, including damage to the brain’s memory and decision-making centres, increased risk of addiction, and possible progression to other harmful substances.

She stressed that limiting access to small and easily concealable alcohol packs would significantly reduce the menace of underage drinking.

Nationwide Awareness Drive

Also speaking, Director-General of NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, described the enforcement campaign as a unified national effort to protect the health and future of Nigerian youths.

He noted that sachet alcohol had remained dangerously accessible due to its low cost and portability, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities.

Issa-Onilu said the agency would deploy its 818 offices nationwide, covering all 774 local government areas, to drive public enlightenment and ensure compliance with the directive.

He urged parents, community leaders, retailers and distributors to support the policy, stressing that consumer protection remains a shared responsibility.

The Federal Government expressed confidence that strict enforcement of the ban would help reduce harmful drinking patterns among minors and foster a safer, healthier society.

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‘Celebrate This Poor Man’ – Shettima Defends Tinubu Over Economic Crisis

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to celebrate President Bola Tinubu, saying his leadership saved the country from a potential implosion.

Shettima said Nigeria’s economy had been teetering on the edge of collapse before Tinubu’s intervention, adding that the country could have faced a different situation.

“The economy was teetering on the edge of collapse, we were on a cliff edge,” the Vice President said.

ALSO READ: Subsidy Removal, FX Reforms Driving Fresh Oil Sector Investment – Shettima

“So he literally saved the nation from an implosion. That could have been the scenario. So, instead of demonizing him, Nigerians ought to celebrate this poor man.”

Shettima also called for a return to the drawing board, expressing confidence in the leadership’s commitment and the prospects for the 2027 elections.

“I believe on the bottom of my heart that with this presentation I have seen, and with the commitment of our leadership, by the grace of God, we are going to win,” he said.

Speaking about the 2027 elections, the Vice President reminded his audience that social media platforms should not be mistaken for actual polling stations.

“There are no polling stations on Facebook or Instagram,” he said.

Shettima also expressed gratitude for the efforts made towards promoting the cause of the 2027 elections.

 

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FG Withdraws Charges Against ‘Fake Agency’ DG, Adeniyi Adeyemi

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Contempt: Four SANs to be Served by Courier

Following observed mis-steps, the Federal Government of Nigeria has withdrawn the eight-count criminal charge brought against the alleged fake Director General (DG) of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.

Biztellers reports that the matter, in accordance with the counsel of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, (SAN), the matter will be filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), instead of the Federal High Court (FHC).

Consequently, upon an unopposed application for termination by the prosecution counsel and Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on Monday, Justice Mohammed Umar of a Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, struck out the matter.

READ ALSO: Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future

In a motion for the termination of the charges, Oyedepo informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has carried out a review of the case file of Adeyemi and the charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and found some loopholes.

The DPPF added that the documents allegedly forged by Adeyemi during his operations of the fake agency are those that can be prosecuted by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He also informed the court that a new charge has been filed at the High Court of the FCT and that Adeyemi would be expeditiously arraigned afresh.

He therefore urged the judge to strike out the charge as required by law.

Following no objections from Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), who stood in for Adeyemi, Justice Umar subsequently terminated the charge.

Adeniyi, 38, was being tried alongside two others whose whereabouts are unknown, on charges bordering on conspiracy and forgery.

The two others said to be at large were identified as Femi (surname unknown) and Anu (surname unknown).

The charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025, was entered against the defendant by the DPPF.

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Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future

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To secure a bright energy for her teeming population, Nigeria must sustain the momentum of reform, accelerate investment, and deepen partnerships.

This view was expressed by Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria Limited (SNEPCo) Ronald Adams in Lagos at the weekend.

Delivering a keynote address at the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) of the Lagos Business School (LBS), Adams called for regulatory certainty through efficient execution of reforms, sustained investment appeal to enable projects to move more swiftly from opportunity to production and partnership by operators, regulators, NNPC Limited and communities to unlock the full value of Nigeria’s resources.

Adams cited Nigeria’s huge oil and gas resources as an advantage but pointed out: “Resources alone do not guarantee prosperity. Prosperity comes when resources are matched with investment, technology, sound policy and disciplined execution. Success will be determined not by the size of our resources, but by our ability to convert them into investment and economic growth.”

Adams pledged the support of Shell towards a bright energy future of Nigerians. He said: “For more than six decades, Shell has been part of Nigeria’s energy journey. Together with our partners, we have helped develop major energy infrastructure, supported Nigerian businesses, invested in talent, and contributed to economic development. Bonga remains a powerful example of what technology, partnership and Nigerian capability can achieve in deepwater operations. Today, that story continues through Bonga North.”

READ ALSO: ADF Targets 5 Million Students, 2 Million Vulnerable Women

Issuing a clarion call for action by all stakeholders, he added: “The world is not standing still. Capital is moving, technology is advancing and competition is intensifying. The countries that attract investment tomorrow are those that improve competitiveness today. Nigeria has begun that journey. Our task is to sustain the momentum and translate reform into projects, projects into growth, and growth into shared prosperity.”

The conference, the 4th in the series had at its theme; “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future: Policy Reform, Capital Mobilisation, and Pathways to a Sustainable Power and Energy Market” and was attended by top government officials, industry captains, energy professionals, and students.

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat represented Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the guest of honour. SNEPCo was a principal sponsor of the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) and mounted a well-received exhibition on its deepwater operations and social investments across Nigeria.

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