Laws on Alcohol Consumption in Nigeria

LAWS ON ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN NIGERIA There are legal restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol in most parts of Nigeria especially to children and young persons. Typically, alcohol cannot be sold to a child (a person below the age of 14 years) or a young person (a person below the age of 18 years). Such persons are also not permitted to work in or around premises where alcohol is sold. Access to such premises is also restricted to young persons generally. Alcohol can only be sold in licensed premises and there are different licences for outlets wishing to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises and those wishing to sell for consumption outside the premises or both. The sale of alcohol in most outlets is restricted to the hours of 6.00 a.m. and 12.00 midnight. However, alcohol may be sold in clubs and hotels at all hours to residents of the hotel or members of the club. In the northern parts of Nigeria, particularly in the Sharia States (i.e. States were Islamic law is practiced), there are restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol under local laws, which are widely considered to be unconstitutional. However, since the law courts have not specifically overruled these laws, it is prudent to observe them. In line with the spirit of the above legal requirements, the leading alcohol beverage companies in Nigeria have adopted a practice of including the '18+' sign in their advertisement as a form of self-imposed regulation. 'Drunk Driving' is seriously discouraged in Nigeria and a person driving a motor vehicle may be stopped and restricted if he is doing so in an 'unsafe manner' which has in practice been interpreted by the law enforcement agencies to include driving under the influence of alcohol. However, there are no known restrictions on the acceptable percentage of alcohol in the blood stream for the purpose of determining what amounts to a 'DUI' offence.