Nigeria launches national alcohol policy to combat illicit trade

Nigeria has launched the National Alcohol Policy and its Multisectoral Implementation Plan 2026–2030, a framework designed to regulate the production, distribution, marketing, and consumption of alcohol. The policy aims to reduce alcohol-related harm, with a specific focus on protecting young people and vulnerable populations.

Major stakeholders, including the National Assembly, the Nigeria Police Force, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), have pledged support for the initiative through coordinated enforcement and regulation. NAFDAC is currently enforcing measures against alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets or containers smaller than 200ml, an effort supported by an undertaking from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria to discontinue such products.

Industry leaders, including the Spirits and Wines Association of Nigeria (SWAN), have highlighted that the illicit alcohol trade—comprising counterfeit, smuggled, and unlicensed products—poses a significant threat to the national economy. This illicit trade undermines legitimate investments, threatens job security, and erodes government revenue by bypassing excise duties and quality-control standards. Stakeholders are calling for intensified collaboration between government agencies and the private sector to combat these illegal operations and ensure consumer safety.