Nigeria’s ongoing effort to regulate alcohol consumption may face serious challenges if authorities fail to monitor who sells alcoholic drinks, according to legal expert Liborous Oshoma. The lawyer believes that without strict control over vendors, government policies aimed at curbing alcohol abuse could struggle to achieve their goals.
Speaking during a television interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, Oshoma explained that merely prohibiting certain types of alcohol packaging will not automatically reduce consumption. In his view, enforcement should begin with the sellers, ensuring that only individuals or businesses with proper authorization are allowed to distribute alcoholic beverages.
His remarks come as National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control prepares to enforce a nationwide prohibition on alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets or containers smaller than 200 millilitres. The initiative is part of a broader attempt by regulators to limit the availability of inexpensive alcohol products that are widely consumed across the country.
According to Oshoma, Nigeria already has numerous policies designed to regulate public behavior, but the real problem often lies in their execution. He argued that laws tend to exist only on paper if there are no mechanisms to ensure that they are followed in practice.
The lawyer stressed that licensing alcohol vendors should be a central component of the government’s strategy. If sales are restricted to certified retailers who can be monitored, authorities will have a better chance of regulating how alcohol is distributed and consumed.
He warned that allowing unregulated vendors to continue selling alcoholic beverages undermines any ban on packaging. In such a situation, consumers could easily switch to other forms of alcohol, such as bottled products, making the policy ineffective.
Oshoma also pointed out that regulating vendors would provide a way to track distribution channels, making it easier for authorities to identify illegal sellers and prevent underage or uncontrolled access to alcohol.
While raising these concerns, the legal practitioner praised the determination shown by NAFDAC in recent enforcement campaigns. He cited the agency’s earlier operations against illegal drug markets in Lagos as an example of how determined regulatory action can produce meaningful results.
He added that such decisive steps demonstrate that government institutions are capable of enforcing rules when they commit the necessary resources and political will.
Ultimately, Oshoma believes the sachet alcohol ban could succeed if it is backed by strict monitoring systems. This includes licensing retailers, tracking distribution networks, and penalizing anyone who violates the rules.
Commentary and Analysis
The debate around sachet alcohol regulation highlights a broader governance issue in Nigeria: the gap between policy creation and policy enforcement. While bans and regulations are frequently introduced, their effectiveness often depends on consistent monitoring and the ability of authorities to hold violators accountable.
Experts suggest that focusing on the supply chain — including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers — could significantly improve regulatory outcomes. Licensing sellers not only limits illegal distribution but also introduces accountability into the market.
If implemented effectively, the government’s strategy could reduce the circulation of cheap alcoholic products and discourage harmful consumption patterns. However, as Oshoma noted, the success of such policies will ultimately depend on enforcement rather than announcements alone.
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