Rivers, Lagos record highest underage intake of sachet alcohol — NAFDAC

Rivers and Lagos states have emerged as Nigeria’s leading hotspots for underage consumption of alcohol sold in sachets and small plastic bottles, according to a nationwide survey released by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The study, conducted between June and August 2021, surveyed 1,788 people across six states and was carried out in partnership with the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, with research support from Research and Data Solutions Ltd, Abuja. It examined how easily minors and teenagers access alcohol and how frequently they consume it.

Presenting the findings on Tuesday, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, warned that alcohol remains one of the most commonly abused substances among young people, adding that easy availability, especially in small, affordable packs, continues to drive early exposure.

Easy access, rising daily consumption

According to the report, more than half of minors and underage respondents said they obtained alcohol on their own, with nearly half purchasing drinks in sachets or PET bottles. Rivers recorded the highest rates, with 68 per cent buying sachets and 64.5 per cent opting for PET bottles, while Lagos followed with 52.3 per cent and 47.7 per cent respectively. Kaduna posted lower figures at 38.6 per cent for sachets and 28.4 per cent for PET bottles.

Also read: NAFDAC to Enforce Sachet Alcohol Ban from December 2025

The data also showed higher consumption among males than females and slightly greater access in rural areas compared to urban centres. Beyond direct purchases, young people reported getting alcohol from friends and relatives, at social events, and from their homes.

NAFDAC pushes for tighter packaging rules

On drinking patterns, 63.2 per cent of minors and 54 per cent of underage respondents described themselves as occasional drinkers, but nearly one in 10 minors and a quarter of teenagers said they drank daily, figures NAFDAC described as deeply concerning.

The agency called for stricter controls on alcohol packaging, arguing that limiting small, easily concealed packs could significantly reduce underage drinking. It recommended banning sachets and bottles below 200 millilitres as part of broader policy reforms.

NAFDAC also urged parents, schools, religious bodies, and community leaders to play more active roles in discouraging alcohol use among children, stressing that early drinking habits pose long-term risks to health and social development.

The agency said the findings highlight the urgent need for stronger regulation, public education campaigns, and community-level interventions to curb underage drinking across both urban and rural Nigeria.