By Biola Lawal
Abuja (FLOWERBUDNEWS): The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has released a shocking finding conforming that over half of Nigerian minors are consuming alcohol.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the NAFDAC Director General broke the worrisome news through a public statement she personally signed on Tuesday to underscore the gravity of the problem.
She disclosed that the shocking trend was derived from a national study survey Study sponsored by the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) in Collaboration with NAFDAC and conducted by Research and Data Solutions Ltd, Abuja.
The study showed that more than half of Nigeria’s minors and underaged children buy and drink alcohol, raising fresh alarm over youth abuse of alcohol.
”Alcohol is one of the most widely used substances of abuse among youths and it is a growing public health concern in Nigeria,” She stated confirming a previous (Olujide et al, 2019) study.
Prof. disclosed that ”several studies on alcohol indicate that within the last few decades, there has been a rapid increase in alcohol availability, production, importation, and consumption across all age groups in Nigeria (Victor et al, 2018).
”The availability and easy access to alcohol have been identified as a contributory factor to the increasing alcohol consumption among minors,” She added.
The survey covered six states across the country. Out of 1,788 respondents, 54.3% admitted buying alcohol themselves, often in sachets or small PET bottles. Friends, relatives, and social gatherings were other major sources, Prof Adeyeye stated.
While most minors and underaged children drink occasionally, some consume alcohol daily or weekly, highlighting a growing public health concern. Rivers, Lagos, and Kaduna topped the list for self-purchase in sachets and bottles.
NAFDAC DG Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye warned that banning small pack sizes could curb underage drinking. She urged parents, teachers, and community leaders to act fast to protect children.
“Consumption of alcohol by minors should raise alarm for everyone in the community,” she said.
The agency said the fight against underage drinking is far from over, calling for stricter regulation, awareness, and vigilance nationwide.
RESS RELEASE BY DIRECTOR GENERAL, NATIONAL AGENCY FOR FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AND CONTROL, PROF MOJISOLA CHRISTIANAH ADEYEYESURVEY ON UNDERAGE DRINKING AND ABUSE OF ALCOHOL: ACCESS TO ALCOHOL AND FREQUENCY OF CONSUMPTION
[Study Sponsored by The Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) in Collaboration with NAFDAC. Conducted by Research and Data Solutions Ltd, Abuja]
Alcohol is one of the most widely used substances of abuse among youths and it is a growing public health concern in Nigeria (Olujide et al, 2019).
Several studies on alcohol indicate that within the last few decades, there has been a rapid increase in alcohol availability, production, importation, and consumption across all age groups in Nigeria (Victor et al, 2018).
The availability and easy access to alcohol have been identified as a contributory factor to the increasing alcohol consumption among minors
The overall objective of the research was to undertake a national survey of consumers and retailers of alcohol beverages and wines, and to determine the extent of alcohol abuse among underaged persons in Nigeria.
The study was conducted between June and August 2021. A total of 1,788 respondents in six states across the six geo-political zones of the country were approached (Table 1) and included in the survey after they agreed to participate in the quantitative survey, using a multiple-choice questionnaire.
Both the data collectors and enumerators were trained for the survey. The sample size required to generate sound statistical inferences from the survey was calculated to be 1,712 based on the following parameters: Z-score of 1.96 for 95% confidence level (α=0.05) at 80% statistical power (β=20%).
Respondents who were less than thirteen (13) years of age were referred to as minors while those who were thirteen (13) to seventeen (17) years of age were referred to as
