A nationwide survey has revealed a disturbing rise in underage drinking in Nigeria, with one in every four underage youths consuming alcohol on a daily basis, according to findings supported by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The study revealed recently, noted that it was conducted between June and August 2021, shows that alcohol is now easily accessible to minors, largely through informal retail channels.
Results indicate that 54.3% of minors and underage persons purchased alcohol by themselves, mainly from roadside sellers and unregulated outlets.
Read Also: Otuaro Urges PAP Scholars: Excel, Make Tinubu Proud
Small, low-cost sachets and miniature plastic bottles were identified as the most popular options among young buyers, largely because they are affordable and easy to conceal.
The survey, carried out by Research and Data Solutions Ltd, Abuja, covered Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and involved 1,788 respondents across Gombe, Kaduna, the Federal Capital Territory, Anambra, Lagos and Rivers states.
It also featured focus group discussions with minors and interviews with alcohol retailers.
Presenting the findings, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, warned that the trend poses serious health and social risks.
She described the results as a strong signal that existing safeguards are failing, noting that alcohol remains one of the most commonly abused substances among young people in the country.
According to the data, access to alcohol goes beyond direct purchases. About 49.9% of respondents said they obtained alcohol from friends or relatives, while 45.9% accessed it at social events.
A further 21.7% reported getting alcohol from their parents’ homes, highlighting the influence of family and social environments on underage drinking.
While many respondents said they drank occasionally, the survey found that 9.3% of minors and 25.2% of underage youths consumed alcohol every day.
Experts warn that such patterns increase the risk of addiction, poor academic performance, risky behaviour and long-term health complications.
Prof. Adeyeye said the findings strengthen the case for tighter regulation of alcohol sales and packaging, particularly products designed in small, discreet sizes.
She stressed that removing sachets and very small bottles from circulation could significantly limit children’s access to alcohol, describing the proposed ban on such products as a key public health intervention.
However, NAFDAC cautioned that enforcement alone would not be sufficient. The agency called on parents, schools, religious institutions and community leaders to play more active roles in discouraging alcohol use among children.
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing alcohol control policies nationwide, stressing that protecting children from underage drinking is essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s public health and future development.
