Drinking Age in Nigeria: Laws, Culture, and Consequences

Underage drinking is a notable problem in Nigeria, with minors consuming alcohol at an alarming rate. While the legal drinking age is 18, strong policies or governmental attempts to implement laws to curb this problem are lacking.

This article explores the issue of underage drinking in Nigeria, including current laws surrounding the drinking age and the consequences of alcohol consumption on minors. It also examines the impact on academic performance, social relationships, and health problems.

Legal Drinking Ages Around the World

While 21 years old is the standard for most of the United States, many consumers worldwide have earlier introductions to alcohol. The youngest legal drinking age in the world is 15, with both Mali and the Central African Republic allowing folks to drink at that time.

Here's a glimpse at legal drinking ages in other regions:

Read also: Overview of SA Drinking Laws

• Drinking age is 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec.
• In Abu Dhabi, the legal drinking age is 18. In all other territories besides Sharjah, the age limit is 21 years.
• The minimum age for purchasing alcohol in India is 18 in Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Sikkim, and Puducherry. The drinking age is 21 in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, Meghalaya, Punjab, Delhi.

FAQ About Alcohol Consumption in Nigeria

Here are some frequently asked questions about alcohol consumption and related topics in Nigeria, particularly concerning Naija Liquor:

1. What types of drinks does Naija Liquor offer?

   We offer a diverse selection of traditional Nigerian beverages and popular imported spirits and wines, including Hennessy, Jameson, and other luxury brands that suit any occasion.

2. How can I place an order with Naija Liquor?

   Browse our product categories, select your desired items and add them to your basket, proceed to checkout and provide the necessary information, and choose your payment method and complete the order.

3. Does Naija Liquor deliver nationwide?

   Yes, we deliver within 60 minutes across Lagos, with same-day delivery available for wholesale and interstate orders.

4. What are the payment options available?

   We accept multiple payment methods including bank transfers, mobile money, and payment on delivery where available. Specific options will be shown at checkout.

   Read also: Morocco: Cultural Norms & Alcohol

5. What is the legal drinking age in Nigeria?

   The legal drinking age in Nigeria is 18 years old. Naija Liquor strictly complies with this law and requires age verification before completing any sales.

6. Are your products authentic and safe?

   Absolutely. We only source from verified suppliers and all our products are NAFDAC approved, ensuring quality, safety, and authenticity.

7. Can I order alcohol in bulk for events or parties?

   Yes, we specialize in bulk orders for parties, weddings, corporate events, and other celebrations, with tailored packages to fit your event size and budget. Check out our Promo Deals page for Wedding Deals. For bulk or event orders, contact our customer service for personalized assistance. or visit our Promo Deals page.

8. How do you ensure responsible drinking?

   We promote responsible drinking by enforcing age checks, providing information about our products, and supporting safe consumption practices.

9. Can I return or exchange products?

   Due to the nature of our products, returns are limited. We are here to assist with any questions or concerns.

   Read also: The Art of Moroccan Tea Glasses

Naija Liquor: Your Trusted Source

Naija Liquor is Nigeria’s most trusted wines, spirits, and drinks store that is open 24 hours every day. You can purchase your drinks on our online store or visit our physical store at 66 Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja, Lagos to shop in person. We are key distributors to major importers and global wines and spirits companies. Our priority is ensuring you can buy original drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, at the right prices, and at any time (24-hour delivery).

The Debate Around Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA)

The debate about MLDA often references the “age of majority.” According to the Law Information Institute at Cornell University, the “age of majority refers to the age at which an individual will be legally considered an adult. It is the age at which one will be subject to the full legal rights and responsibilities of an adult, including the right to vote, the right to join the military or the right to sign a contract. After reaching the age of majority, one will become fully responsible for their own actions, contractual obligations and other undertakings. Parental duties of support will also cease.”

Most countries have set the age of majority at 18; however, the age varies in the United States. For example, the age of majority is 19 in Alabama and Nebraska and 21 in Mississippi. Many question why a person may enlist in the military but may not consume alcohol at 18 years old.

The discrepancy between the MLDA and the age of majority-and its many responsibilities and authorities-along with continued incidents of alcohol abuse reported on college campuses have fueled debate on whether setting the MLDA at 21 is fair, smart, or effective.

Pros and Cons of Lowering the MLDA

So, should the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) be lowered from 21 to a younger age? Explore the debate below.

PROS

1. Pro 1: The age of legal majority (adulthood) in the United States is 18, not 21. Americans enjoy a range of new rights, responsibilities, and freedoms when they turn 18 and become an adult in the eyes of the law. 18-year-olds may vote in local, state, and federal elections; may serve on juries; and may be charged as an adult if accused of a crime. 18-year-olds are responsible for any legally binding contracts they enter, are liable for negligence, and may be sued. 18-year-olds must register with the Selective Service if male and may be drafted into service at times of war. military service. 18-year-olds may get married without parental consent; buy a house; and enjoy new privacy rights including the shielding of medical, academic, and financial information from parents. However, drinking alcohol remains regulated under a legal age of license. An 18-year-old may legally allowed to make life decisions with years of impact but may not legally drink a beer.
2. Pro 2: A MLDA of 21 is ineffective because younger adults will still consume alcohol, leading to dangerous behaviors. By the time 60 percent of people are 18, they have had at least one alcoholic drink. 32 percent of 18-20-year-olds admitted to alcohol consumption, according to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Prohibiting this age group from drinking in bars, restaurants, and other licensed locations causes them to drink in unsupervised places such as fraternity houses or house parties where they may be more prone to binge drinking and other unsafe behavior. Rather than criminalizing an act that is legal for other adults, lowering the minimum legal drinking age could allow for more regulatory oversight of drinking by 18- to 20-year-olds, whether by a graduated drinking license (a sort of “drinking learner’s permit”) or simply the enforcement of laws other adults are subject to.
3. Pro 3: A MLDA of 21 creates a mindset of lawbreaking among young adults. Lowering MLDA from 21 to 18 would diminish the thrill of breaking the law to get a drink. law. MLDA 21 encourages young adults to acquire and use false identification documents to procure alcohol. It would be better to have fewer fake IDs in circulation and more respect for the law. Further, MLDA 21 enforcement is not a priority for many law enforcement agencies. Police are inclined to ignore or under-enforce MLDA 21 because of resource limitations, statutory obstacles, perceptions that punishments are inadequate, and the time and effort required for processing and paperwork. An estimated two of every 1,000 occasions of illegal drinking by youth under 21 results in an arrest. Combine a lack of consequences with the thrill of breaking the law, and MLDA 21 actually encourages underage drinking and potentially other illegal activities, such as driving while intoxicated and illicit drug use. Lowering the MLDA would make 18-20-year-olds subject to the same laws enforced for those 21 and over.

CONS

1. Con 1: A MLDA of 21 coincides with the age required for many adult rights in the United States. Many rights in the United States are conferred on citizens at age 21 or older. A person cannot legally purchase a handgun, gamble in a casino (in most states), or adopt a child until age 21. No one can rent a car (from most companies) until age 25 or so and cannot run for president until age 35. Drinking should be similarly restricted due to the responsibility required to self and others. Purchasing and smoking cigarettes and vaping e-cigarettes are similarly regulated. The age of license was raised to 21 on December 20, 2019. Robin Mermelstein, professor of psychology at the University of Illinois Chicago, explained, “I think that you would be able to see lots of improvements in reduction of tobacco use among teens, all of which is good because the longer you delay any kind of initiation, the less likelihood there is to develop addiction and the less likely it is that use will escalate.” The same goes for alcohol. Other things are similarly regulated throughout life. Kids can’t play T-ball until they’re four, and basketball players can’t play for the NBA until they’re 19. In most states, teens can’t obtain a restricted license until they’re 16. Senior citizens can’t collect social security until age 62. Rarely are these age restrictions arbitrary.
2. Con 2: Alcohol consumption before age 21 is irresponsible and dangerous. Alcohol consumption can interfere with development of the young adult brain’s frontal lobes (essential for emotional regulation, planning, and organization), which can increase the risk for chronic problems such as vulnerability to addiction, dangerous risk-taking, reduced decision-making ability, memory loss, depression, violence, and suicide. MLDA 21 reduces traffic accidents and fatalities. 100 of the 102 analyses (98 percent) in a meta-study of the legal drinking age and traffic accidents found higher legal drinking ages associated with lower rates of traffic accidents. In the 30 years since MLDA 21 was introduced, drunk driving fatalities decreased by a third. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that MLDA 21 has saved 31,417 lives from 1975-2016. Lowering the MLDA would surely increase traffic accidents, injuries, and deaths. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) has published numerous studies demonstrating the effectiveness of the 21 MLDA in reducing traffic crashes and saving lives. A 2019 study of alcohol consumption in India even found “a causal channel between alcohol consumption and domestic violence,” in that men who were legally allowed to drink were “substantially more likely to consume alcohol” and “significantly more likely to commit violence against their partners.” Lowering the MLDA is likely to raise domestic abuse rates.
3. Con 3: A MLDA of 21 lowers alcohol consumption and illicit drug use across age groups. A MLDA of 21 reduces alcohol consumption and the number of underage drinkers. Some 87 percent of studies, according to a meta-study on MLDA, found higher legal drinking ages associated with lower alcohol consumption. Studies indicate that when the drinking age is 21, those younger than 21 drink less and continue to drink less through their early 20s, and that youth who do not drink until they are 21 tend to drink less as adults. The number of 18- to 20-year-olds who report drinking alcohol in the past month decreased from 59 percent in 1985-one year after Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act-to 39 percent in 2016. Many point to lower MLDAs in Europe as proof that the United States should have a lower MLDA. However, a study found “significantly increased alcohol consumption-particularly among boys and those from underprivileged backgrounds-when drinking becomes legal. Raising the minimum legal drinking age in Europe coul...

Drinking Age & Beer Laws Across West Africa

Before you raise a toast in West Africa, it's essential to understand the local drinking culture and laws. Here’s a quick reference guide to beer laws and drinking culture across West Africa:

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