A nationwide survey on underage drinking has revealed that a majority of minors and underage children in Nigeria can easily access alcoholic beverages, with many purchasing alcohol for themselves from retail outlets, social gatherings and even family sources.
The survey conducted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in collaboration with other firms found that 54.3 per cent of minors and underage respondents obtained alcohol on their own, highlighting weak enforcement of age-restriction laws and gaps in alcohol control measures.
Conducted in partnership with Research and Data Solutions Ltd, Abuja, between June and August 2021, the research covered 1,788 respondents across six states representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. It evaluated access to alcohol and frequency of consumption among minors, underage persons and adults.
Findings showed that nearly half of minors and underage respondents accessed alcohol through friends and relatives, while 45.9 per cent obtained alcohol at social gatherings. Alarmingly, about 21.7 per cent reported accessing alcohol from their parents’ homes.
Retail outlets selling alcohol in sachets and PET bottles emerged as the most common point of purchase, with 49.9 per cent of underage respondents patronising such vendors. Smaller proportions purchased alcohol from liquor stores, restaurants and supermarkets, suggesting that informal retail channels remain the primary gateway for underage access.
Among those who purchased alcohol themselves, sachets and PET bottles were the most commonly procured packaging types. About 47.2 per cent of minors and 48.8 per cent of underage respondents bought alcohol in sachets, while over 40 per cent procured drinks in PET bottles. More than a quarter of underage respondents also purchased alcohol in glass bottles.
State-level analysis showed higher procurement of alcohol in sachets and PET bottles in Rivers, Lagos and Kaduna states compared to other study locations. The survey further revealed gender and location disparities, with sachet alcohol consumption higher among males than females, and more prevalent in rural than urban communities.
On consumption patterns, the survey found that while 54 per cent of respondents were occasional drinkers, nearly one in four consumed alcohol daily. Among minors, 63.2 per cent drank alcohol occasionally, while 9.3 per cent reported daily consumption. For underage respondents, 54 per cent drank occasionally, but as many as 25.2 per cent consumed alcohol daily.
The findings raise serious public health concerns, particularly given the known risks of early alcohol exposure, including addiction, impaired brain development, risky behaviour and long-term health consequences.
In a conclusion accompanying the report, NAFDAC warned that the widespread availability of small, easily concealed alcohol pack sizes is fueling underage drinking across the country. The agency noted that limiting access to such pack sizes could significantly reduce alcohol consumption among minors.
The report recommended a ban on alcohol sachets and bottles smaller than 200 millilitres as a critical step towards curbing underage drinking. It also called on parents, teachers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to treat alcohol consumption among children as a red-flag issue requiring urgent intervention.
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health and strengthening regulatory oversight of alcohol production, packaging and distribution, stressing that protecting children from alcohol abuse remains a national responsibility.
The survey adds to growing evidence that underage drinking in Nigeria is driven less by demand alone and more by systemic regulatory lapses, social norms and easy access, underscoring the need for coordinated policy, enforcement and community action.
J