Resurgence of Sachet Alcohol Raises Alarms About Youth Exposure and Public Safety
Nigeria is witnessing the reappearance of sachet-packaged alcoholic products in public spaces, prompting widespread concern from health experts, policymakers, and civil society, reports The Leadership. During the recent MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Advocacy Stakeholders Conference in Lagos, speakers emphasised the urgent need for a national alcohol policy to prevent rising harm due to alcohol and protect young Nigerians.
The session, themed “Turning the Tide: Multi-Sectoral Approaches into Substance Abuse and Recovery in Nigeria,” brought together a coalition of national voices sounding the alarm over the growing availability of cheap alcohol and the lack of a coordinated prevention strategy.
Children at Risk: Inadequate Regulation Fuels Early Alcohol Use
One of the gravest concerns raised was the increasing access to potent sachet alcohol among minors. According to Olusesan Samuel-Kayode, a master trainer with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) cited in The Leadership, children as young as 10 years old are purchasing alcohol for as little as ₦100 due to inadequate enforcement and regulatory gaps. 100 Nigerian Naira equals 0,066 US Dollars.
Despite an earlier ban by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), sachet alcohol has returned to markets, especially at roadside kiosks and bus parks.
Samuel-Kayode warned that without a comprehensive national alcohol policy to introduce common-sense limits on alcohol availability, even primary school students will remain vulnerable to harm. He stressed that alcohol remains the most harmful yet normalised substance in Nigeria, particularly among youth.
This is a silent epidemic,” said Samuel-Kayode, as per The Leadership reporting.
Until Nigeria develops a comprehensive alcohol policy that addresses access, especially among minors, alcohol will continue to destroy lives, even in primary schools.”
Samuel-Kayode, master trainer, UNODC
Research, community groups, and politicians have long raised similar concerns about the harmful effects of sachet-packaged alcohol across Africa. For example, in countries like Uganda and Ivory Coast, sachet-packaged alcohol was removed from the market to protect minors and other vulnerable communities. Furthermore, evidence-based scientific research also highlights that early exposure to alcohol interferes with brain development and leads to increased risk of alcohol use disorder later in life.
Alcohol, Road Safety, and Systemic Failure
The situation is also a major public safety issue. Shehu Mohammed, Deputy Commander of Narcotics at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), pointed out that alcohol use among drivers at motor parks is directly contributing to road crashes.
In Nigeria, he said, the widespread and unregulated availability of alcohol is a key factor.
Alcohol remains one of the biggest threats to human life in this country,” Mr. Mohammed said, as per The Leadership.
Its availability at motor parks, where drivers [consume alcohol] before or during trips, is directly linked to the high rate of road accidents. [Alcohol impaired] driving is responsible for nearly 50 percent of road fatalities globally. We need more than legislation; we need awareness and enforcement”.
Shehu Mohammed, Deputy Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
Mr. Mohammed added that alcohol regulation does not currently fall under one specific authority, creating dangerous gaps. He called for an inter-agency strategy that brings together the ministries of health, education, justice, and transport.
Cultural Normalisation and Mental Health Harms
Expert communities further warned that the normalisation of alcohol use in family and cultural settings is fueling early exposure and initiation. Professor Temitayo Adewuyi of Lagos State University emphasised that both parents and children are increasingly exposed to alcohol for recreational, medicinal, and ritual purposes. She described the trend as a “third-generation crisis,” noting that early exposure impairs brain development and increases risk for addiction, academic failure, and risky behaviours.
Dr. Charles Umeh, chairman of the Nigerian Association of Clinical Psychologists (Lagos Chapter), explained that unresolved trauma, low self-esteem, and dysfunctional home environments are key drivers of alcohol use among young people. A recent study under his supervision found that some primary school children are not only using but also selling psychoactive substances.
Call for Coordinated Legislation and Oversight
Lawmakers are also raising concerns about alcohol harm. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, called on state assemblies to domesticate the NDLEA Act and introduce alcohol-specific legislation. She warned that the problem is not only a health crisis, but also a developmental and security threat. According to her, some children from families with alcohol problems are now being used as drug couriers, a stark indicator of system failure.
The Lagos State government, represented by Secretary to the State Government Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, reaffirmed its commitment to prevention and treatment.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced that the state is building the largest mental health institute in West Africa, which will include 500 psychiatric beds and 1,000 rehabilitation beds by December 2026. The administration has also launched a mental health hotline and expanded school counselling programs.
Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, highlighted the role of the private sector. She said the Foundation has invested over ₦33 billion in prevention-focused initiatives across 36 states and 3,600 communities.
She also commended NDLEA and UNODC for collaborating on school-based drug prevention campaigns, encouraging students to take leadership roles in spreading prevention messages.
National Security at Risk Without Prevention Measures
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) described alcohol and other drug use as both a health emergency and a national security threat. He stated that 14.4% of Nigerians aged 15–64 engage in drug use, more than double the global average. He stressed that this issue fuels crime, weakens families, and endangers entire generations.
We must invest in prevention now or risk irreversible damage.”
Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, Chairman, NDLEA
Stakeholders at the conference urged the federal government to create an inter-ministerial task force and bring alcohol under the national drug control framework. They also recommended a nationwide campaign to shift social attitudes and reduce consumption.
As long as sachet alcohol remains available and prevention efforts remain fragmented, experts warn that Nigeria’s youth, public health, and national development will continue to suffer the consequences.