A new research report by health policy think tank Medbase Africa has exposed what experts describe as the “hidden cost” of Nigeria’s growing alcohol crisis, warning that women are paying the heaviest price despite often not being the direct consumers.
The report, unveiled during a policy dialogue in Ilorin, Kwara State, called for an urgent gender-sensitive national alcohol policy to address rising cases of domestic violence, maternal health complications, financial hardship, and mental health issues linked to harmful alcohol consumption.
The event, titled “The Hidden Cost of the Bottle: Health and Women in Alcohol Policies in Nigeria,”was held at Shallom Events Centre, GRA, Ilorin, and drew stakeholders from the health, legal, regulatory, and media sectors, including representatives of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
Speaking at the event, lead researcher Atunde said Nigeria’s existing alcohol regulations have consistently failed to recognise the disproportionate impact of alcohol abuse on women.
“Policies and social systems in Nigeria often ignore gender-specific indicators,” he said. “They have over the years failed to consider the adverse effects of alcohol on the health of women. Instead, the policies centre profit.”
The research, conducted between March and May 2026 with support from the Nigeria Youth Future Fund, reviewed 35 studies involving over 37,000 participants and included focus group discussions with women and interviews with experts.
According to the findings, Nigerian drinkers consume an average of 13.4 litres of pure alcohol yearly — nearly twice the African average of 6.2 litres. The report also estimated that more than 34 million Nigerians now engage in harmful alcohol consumption, compared to 24 million recorded in the mid-1990s.
While heavy drinking was found to be more common among young men, the report concluded that women bear the indirect consequences.
It revealed that women whose partners consume alcohol are twice as likely to suffer intimate partner violence, while many households reportedly spend up to 31 per cent of disposable income on alcohol, worsening food insecurity, healthcare challenges, and children’s education.
One of the most emotional moments at the event came when Mrs. Amina Abdulsalam, a PhD candidate in paediatric and maternal health, warned about increasing alcohol consumption among pregnant women.
“There is evidence to show that many women have been convinced that alcohol is good for their pregnancy,” she said.
“So they drink from the first trimester to the third, putting themselves at the risk of alcohol ovarian syndrome and other serious health complications.”
The report further showed that nearly one in eight pregnant Nigerian women exposed to alcohol-related domestic violence experienced psychiatric distress during pregnancy.
Mrs. Abdulsalam called for reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare system, urging hospitals to include alcohol-use screening and checks for domestic abuse during antenatal care.
“There is a need for the health system to improve antenatal checklists to uncover harmful alcohol use and alcohol-induced household violence,” she added.
In what became one of the major highlights of the gathering, a representative of NAFDAC, Miss Mercy, disclosed that the agency would proceed with a total ban on sachet and small-sized alcoholic drinks.
“NAFDAC has confirmed and is moving ahead with the ban of sachet and small-sized alcohol products,” she stated.
“The size makes them accessible even to children.”
Attempts to ban sachet alcohol products in Nigeria have repeatedly faced resistance from industry operators over fears of job losses and economic disruption.
However, Miss Mercy insisted that this latest move would not be reversed.
“But this time around, NAFDAC is really banning the sachet products,” she said.
The report argued that cheap sachet alcohol products have worsened alcohol abuse, particularly among young people and low-income rural communities, where women and children are often left to deal with the social and economic fallout.
Researchers also accused Nigeria’s alcohol regulatory system of being fragmented and ineffective, noting the absence of a unified national alcohol policy focused on protecting women and children.
The report recommended the creation of a gender-responsive alcohol control policy, stronger regulation of alcohol marketing, integration of alcohol-related indicators into maternal healthcare systems, and dedicated funding for women’s health and gender-based violence prevention.
It also called for stricter accountability measures for major brewing companies, including Nigerian Breweries Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, and International Breweries Plc, whose combined revenues were estimated at over ₦2.5tn in recent financial cycles.
According to the researchers, despite years of “drink responsibly” campaigns, alcohol remains easily accessible to minors and vulnerable populations across the country.
The forum concluded with stakeholders urging the Federal Government to move beyond rhetoric and implement policies that prioritise public health, women’s safety, and accountability in Nigeria’s alcohol industry.