Rivers and Lagos states recorded the highest levels of alcohol consumption among minors and underage persons in Nigeria, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The study, carried out in collaboration with the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria and executed by Research and Data Solutions Ltd, Abuja, surveyed 1,788 respondents across six states between June and August 2021.
NAFDAC said the survey examined access to alcohol and drinking patterns among minors (below 13 years), underaged persons (13–17 years), and adults aged 18 and above.
Presenting the findings on Tuesday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described alcohol as “one of the most widely used substances of abuse among youths,” warning that its easy availability continues to fuel rising consumption among children.
The report revealed that 54.3 per cent of minors and underage respondents obtained alcohol by themselves, with nearly half purchasing drinks packaged in sachets or Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles.
Rivers State topped the chart, with 68.0 per cent of minors and underaged persons consuming alcohol in sachets and 64.5 per cent in PET bottles. Lagos followed closely with 52.3 per cent sachet consumption and 47.7 per cent PET bottle use, while Kaduna recorded 38.6 per cent sachet and 28.4 per cent PET bottle consumption.
The survey also found gender and location disparities. Consumption of sachet alcohol was higher among males (51.4 per cent) than females (41.5 per cent), and more prevalent in rural areas (50.1 per cent) compared to urban centres (45.3 per cent).
Beyond direct purchases, minors and underaged respondents accessed alcohol through friends and relatives (49.9 per cent), social gatherings (45.9 per cent), and even parents’ homes (21.7 per cent).
Among those who bought alcohol themselves, 47.2 per cent of minors and 48.8 per cent of underaged respondents purchased sachet alcohol, while 41.2 per cent of minors and 47.2 per cent of underaged persons bought drinks in PET bottles.
On drinking frequency, the report showed that 63.2 per cent of minors and 54.0 per cent of underaged persons were occasional drinkers. However, 9.3 per cent of minors and 25.2 per cent of underaged respondents admitted to consuming alcohol daily.
NAFDAC warned that underage access to alcohol could be significantly reduced by restricting easily concealable packaging. The agency recommended a ban on small pack sizes, including sachets and bottles below 200 millilitres.
“Access to alcohol by children can be limited if pack sizes that can be easily concealed are not available,” the report stated.
The agency also called on parents, teachers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to take responsibility, stressing that alcohol consumption by children should trigger serious concern and intervention.
According to the report, the findings highlight the urgent need for stronger regulation, targeted policy interventions and sustained public awareness campaigns to curb underage drinking across both urban and rural communities in Nigeria.
