The Nigerian Government has launched the Nigeria Alcohol Policy and its Multisectoral Implementation Plan 2026–2030, aimed at reducing the health and social harms associated with alcohol use while supporting responsible economic development.
The policy was unveiled in Abuja, with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom.
Prof. Pate described the initiative as an important step towards addressing the health, social and economic effects of harmful alcohol consumption, while recognising the contribution of the alcohol industry to employment, agriculture, manufacturing, trade and government revenue.
He said the policy establishes a coordinated national framework for the production, distribution, marketing and consumption of alcohol, with a focus on balancing economic interests with public health and social wellbeing.
According to him, harmful alcohol use and the availability of illicit and unregulated products contribute to non-communicable diseases, road traffic injuries, interpersonal and gender-based violence, mental health problems, loss of household income and reduced productivity.
The policy is built around four key pillars: harm reduction and health promotion; industrial and economic development; multisectoral coordination and governance; and monitoring, evaluation, accountability, research and learning.
Prof. Pate called for increased public awareness and community engagement, responsible alcohol marketing, effective enforcement of age restrictions and better access to screening, treatment and rehabilitation services.
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He stressed that successful implementation would require the involvement of government institutions, state and local authorities, industry operators, civil society groups, traditional and religious leaders, academia, communities and development partners.
The minister also urged stakeholders to strengthen compliance with licensing, safety and quality requirements, tackle the distribution of illicit alcohol and improve oversight of pharmaceutical and industrial ethanol.
He said the effectiveness of the 2026–2030 plan would be judged by measurable improvements in the wellbeing of Nigerians, including safer communities, healthier families, fewer alcohol-related injuries and deaths, stronger protection for young people and improved access to treatment and rehabilitation.
Prof. Pate added that the policy aligns Nigeria’s alcohol-control measures with Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals and relevant World Health Organisation frameworks.
He formally declared the policy and implementation plan launched, urging all stakeholders to regard its execution as a shared national responsibility.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, pledged the agency’s support for the implementation of the policy.
Adeyeye described the initiative as a significant development in Nigeria’s health and socio-economic reform efforts, saying it would help protect public health while supporting legitimate economic activities and safeguarding consumers, particularly young and vulnerable people.
She said NAFDAC would strengthen science-based regulation, monitoring, surveillance, food-control systems and engagement with stakeholders.
The NAFDAC chief also disclosed that the agency had begun working with manufacturers to restrict certain alcohol products.
“We signed an undertaking with manufacturers two weeks ago that there will no longer be sachet alcohol or alcohol in less than 200ml bottles,” she said.
She commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other stakeholders for their roles in developing the policy, describing it as an important step towards stronger alcohol regulation in Nigeria.
The launch was attended by senior government officials, representatives of ministries, departments and agencies, industry stakeholders, development partners, civil society organisations, professional bodies and media representatives.
