By: Michael Ofulue, 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 Agency’s 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 will lead regulatory enforcement and ensure compliance among manufacturers and distributors, the FCCPC will focus on protecting consumer rights and preventing unfair trade practices.
The NOA, as the government’s primary public engagement body, will spearhead nationwide sensitisation and behavioural change initiatives to drive grassroots awareness.
In a statement, 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, with enforcement taking effect from January 1, 2026.
The measure, he explained, 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, noting that the government had engaged stakeholders in the alcohol industry for eight years, allowing sufficient 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 underscored the critical responsibility of the media in advancing the objectives of the campaign, describing the initiative as an issue 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 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 further indicated alarming levels of daily and weekly alcohol consumption among minors, underscoring the urgency for firm regulatory action to prevent long-term health and social consequences.
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 also strengthen the campaign through sustained media engagement, digital platforms and the NOA CLHEEAN App, which enables citizens to report violations and support enforcement efforts in real time.
The National Orientation Agency therefore called 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.Nigeria education news
Through sustained awareness, strict compliance and collective vigilance, NOA — in collaboration with NAFDAC and FCCPC — reaffirmed its commitment to building a healthier, safer and more responsible nation.(The Hope)
