One in four underaged Nigerians drinks alcohol daily – Report

…Easy access fuels public health crisis — NAFDAC

A report has revealed that one in four underaged Nigerians consumes alcohol daily, a pattern the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says underscores a growing public health crisis driven by easy access to alcoholic beverages.

The report on underage drinking conducted by NAFDAC in collaboration with the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), found that 25.2 percent of underaged persons aged between 13 and 17 drink alcohol every day, while an additional 9.3 percent of minors below the age of 13 also consume alcohol daily.

According to the survey, access to alcohol remains largely unrestricted for children and adolescents. More than half of minors and underaged respondents, representing 54.3 per cent, reported buying alcohol for themselves, often without challenge from retailers. Nearly half patronised outlets selling alcohol in sachets and small plastic bottles, formats NAFDAC says make concealment and impulsive purchase easier.

The study, conducted between June and August 2021 across six states representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, involved 1,788 quantitative respondents and additional qualitative interviews with minors, underaged persons and alcohol retailers. Lagos, Rivers and Kaduna states recorded the highest levels of procurement of sachet and PET-bottled alcohol.

Beyond retail outlets, the survey showed that alcohol access is reinforced within social settings and homes. About 49.9 percent of underaged respondents said they obtained alcohol from friends or relatives, while 45.9 percent accessed it at social gatherings. Another 21.7 percent reported sourcing alcohol from their parents’ homes.

Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, NAFDAC director-general, said the findings point to systemic failures in enforcement, parental oversight and community responsibility, warning that early exposure to alcohol increases the risk of long-term abuse and associated health complications.

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“Consumption of alcohol by children should raise alarm for parents, teachers, religious leaders and the community at large,” Adeyeye said, stressing that underage drinking is no longer an isolated behaviour but a widespread trend.

While most minors and underaged respondents described themselves as occasional drinkers, NAFDAC noted that the high proportion of daily consumption signals a shift from experimentation to habitual use. The agency warned that without urgent intervention, the trend could worsen outcomes related to addiction, mental health and academic performance.

Based on the survey’s conclusions, NAFDAC reiterated its support for banning sachet alcohol and bottles smaller than 200 millilitres, arguing that restricting small, easily concealed pack sizes would significantly limit access by minors.

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The agency said the survey provides fresh evidence to guide regulatory action and public awareness efforts, as Nigeria grapples with rising alcohol availability and its impact on young people.

“Safeguarding the health of the nation requires decisive action to protect children from early exposure to alcohol,” Adeyeye said.