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About 15 Million Nigerians Use Illicit Drugs – NDLEA Raises Alarm

Published by admin on January 26th, 2026.

About 15 Million Nigerians Use Illicit Drugs – NDLEA Raises Alarm

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (rtd.), has revealed that nearly 15 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 are involved in the use of illegal drugs. He described the figure as alarming and far above the global average, noting that about one in every seven Nigerians in this age group abuses drugs.

Marwa made this disclosure during a courtesy visit to Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, at the Government House in Akure. He expressed concern over Ondo State’s high level of cannabis production, attributing it to favourable climate and soil conditions. Citing a 2018 United Nations survey, he said drug use prevalence in the state stands at 17 percent, representing about 400,000 users, compared to 33 percent in Lagos and 24 percent in Oyo State.

According to him, drug abuse has contributed significantly to crime and insecurity, including terrorism and kidnapping, as criminal groups often operate around drug-producing communities. He disclosed that in 2025 alone, the NDLEA in Ondo State arrested 336 suspects, seized over 22,000 kilograms of illicit drugs, secured 62 convictions, and destroyed more than 207,000 kilograms of cannabis from farms and plantations.

Marwa added that over 75 percent of drugs seized nationwide in the last five years were cannabis, making it the agency’s biggest challenge. He also revealed that the NDLEA is conducting scientific research on cannabis oil for medical use, stressing that any decision on controlled cultivation would be based strictly on evidence.

To reduce illegal farming, he said the agency has introduced an Alternative Development Programme to help farmers switch to legal crops through community support, infrastructure, and access to markets. Ondo State has been selected as a pilot location for the initiative, with strong backing from the state government.

Governor Aiyedatiwa pledged continued support for the NDLEA and praised Marwa’s leadership of the programme. He noted that while Ondo remains a major producer of legitimate agricultural products like cocoa, efforts are ongoing to curb illegal cultivation. The governor also expressed interest in the medicinal use of cannabis and urged the agency to speed up its research and share the findings.