The Association of Advocates Against Alcohol Harm in Nigeria (ASAAHN) has called on the Federal Government to urgently adopt a national alcohol policy aimed at protecting young people, safeguarding public health, and reducing the rising social and economic harm caused by alcohol misuse.
This appeal was made during the First National Conference on Alcohol Harm Prevention and the 5th Annual General Meeting held in Ilupeju, Lagos.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Samuel Oluranti, a Professor of Sociology at Lagos State University (LASU), raised concerns over the alarming ease with which children access alcohol in the country. He warned that the trend poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s human capital development.
According to him, “What we have today, where children can buy alcohol anywhere, anyhow, is not helping the future of this nation.”
Prof. Oluranti urged the government to implement a comprehensive national alcohol policy that would limit harmful exposure, improve public health outcomes, and reduce the burden of medical expenses linked to alcohol-related cases.
Responding to claims that stricter regulations could hurt the alcohol industry, he argued that diversifying investments would both protect jobs and minimize long-term socio-economic harm. “When you compare tax revenue to the cost of damaged lives and communities, life is more important than profit,” he added.
He further emphasized the need for stronger coordination among regulatory and enforcement agencies, noting that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other bodies must work together to curb illegal sales and underage access to alcohol.
Mrs. Itunuoluwa Onifade, a Development Psychologist and Family Life Therapist, highlighted several factors contributing to underage drinking among Nigerian adolescents.
She identified early exposure to alcohol-themed content on social media, pervasive advertising, and the carefree attitude of some adults who openly consume alcohol or send children to purchase alcoholic drinks as major drivers of the problem.
She stressed that continuous exposure to excessive alcohol use must be completely addressed to protect the wellbeing of young Nigerians.
Reporting by Sherifat Oyediran