54.3% Of Nigerian Minors Purchase Alcohol Themselves, Survey Reveals

More than half of minors and underage individuals in Nigeria purchase alcohol for themselves, with 54.3 per cent procuring their own drinks, according to new survey data highlighting the ease of access among young people.

The survey, sponsored by the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and conducted by Research and Data Solutions Ltd in Abuja, sheds light on underage drinking patterns and alcohol accessibility.

The study, titled “Survey on Underage Drinking and Abuse of Alcohol: Access to Alcohol and Frequency of Consumption”, underscored widespread availability despite legal restrictions.

Findings showed that 49.9 per cent of young people obtained alcohol from friends and relatives, 45.9 per cent at social gatherings, and 21.7 per cent from their parents’ homes. Among those buying directly, 47.2 per cent of minors and 48.8 per cent of underage individuals opt for sachets, 41.2 per cent choose PET bottles, while 27.6 per cent select glass bottles.

Most minors (63.2 per cent) and underage individuals (54.0 per cent) consumed alcohol only occasionally, pointing to widespread but sporadic drinking amid concerns over weak enforcement of age restrictions.

To address the issue, NAFDAC has announced enforcement of a ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small-volume PET/glass bottles below 200ml. According to the Agency, this measure was intended to make alcohol less accessible to children.

The small size of sachets makes them easy to conceal from parents and teachers, while their affordability encourages underage consumption.

In December 2018, NAFDAC, Federal Ministry of Health, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and DIBAN to phase out sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging by January 31, 2024. The moratorium was later extended to December 2025 to allow industry operators to exhaust old stock and reconfigure production lines.

Reports have linked alcohol consumption to increased incidences of domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other social vices. Schools have also raised concerns, with teachers reporting that children conceal sachets. One teacher recounted a student admitting he could not sit an exam without consuming sachet alcohol.

NAFDAC maintained that simply labelling sachets and small containers with “Not for Children” was ineffective, given societal realities. Many parents remained unaware their children consumed alcohol in sachets, as the packaging is easily hidden and inexpensive.

Speaking earlier, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said: “This ban is not punitive; it is protective. It is aimed at safeguarding the health and future of our children and youth by not allowing alcohol in small pack sizes. The decision is rooted in scientific evidence and public health considerations. We cannot continue to sacrifice the wellbeing of Nigerians for economic gain. The health of a nation is its true wealth.”

NAFDAC reiterated that only two categories of alcoholic beverages are affected by this regulation: spirit drinks packaged in sachets and small-volume PET/glass bottles below 200ml. The Agency has called on all stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, to comply fully with the phase-out deadline, stressing that no further extension will be granted beyond December 2025.

The Agency pledged to continue working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the FCCPC, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to implement nationwide sensitisation campaigns on the health and social dangers associated with alcohol misuse.

NAFDAC said it remained resolute in its mission to ensure that only safe, wholesome, and properly regulated products are available to Nigerians.