Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - Akure-The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa, retd, has said about 15 million Nigerians, aged between 15 and 64 years, use hard drugs.
Marwa, who disclosed this during a visit to Governor Lucky
Aiyedatiwa in Akure, the Ondo State capital, described the figure as nearly
three times the global average.
While presenting a comprehensive data on drug use
prevalence, enforcement outcomes and cannabis production across the country,
with particular emphasis on Ondo State, Marwa cited the 2018 United Nations
drug use survey which states that one in every seven Nigerians in the age
bracket consumed drugs, describing the figure as unacceptably high.
According to him, drug use prevalence in Ondo State stands
at 17 per cent, translating to roughly 400,000 users.
He compared this with 33 per cent in Lagos State, where
there are about two million users, and 24 per cent in Oyo State.
Marwa said in 2025 alone, the NDLEA command in Ondo State
made 336 arrests, seized 22,316 kilogrammes of illicit substances, and secured
62 convictions.
He added that 207,000 kilogrammes of cannabis were seized
and destroyed from farms and plantations across the state within the period.
The agency’s counselling and rehabilitation centre in Ondo
State, according to him, treated 243 drug users last year.
Describing Ondo State as the highest producer of cannabis in
Nigeria, due to favourable climate and soil conditions, Marwa said the NDLEA
had commissioned the Nigerian Academy of Science to conduct a scientific study
on cannabis-extracted oil for medicinal purposes, stressing that any decision
on controlled cultivation and export would be strictly evidence-based.
He said the agency had established an Alternative
Development Unit at its headquarters to complement law enforcement by engaging
cannabis-growing communities to switch from illicit cultivation to legal crops.
The strategy involves community development, provision of
farm inputs, infrastructure, schools, clinics and access to markets to ensure
sustainable livelihoods
He added that Ondo State had been selected for a pilot study
of the programme, following a year of engagement with cannabis-producing
communities.
Marwa also highlighted Ondo State government’s backing,
including the creation of a State Drug Control Committee, with plans to extend
it to local government areas, as well as provision of financial and operational
support for the command..
Responding, Governor Aiyedatiwa pledged the full support of
his administration to the NDLEA, following the launch of the agency’s
Alternative Development Programme in Ondo State.
Aiyedatiwa commended Marwa for personally leading the
programme, rather than delegating it, describing the move as a demonstration of
commitment to curbing illicit drug cultivation, production, trafficking and
consumption.
He praised the NDLEA for complementing enforcement with the
initiative, which would provide farmers with alternative livelihoods.
The governor thanked the agency for selecting Ondo State as
the pilot for the programme, noting statistics showing the state as the
largest producer of cannabis in Nigeria.
He added that Ondo was also a major producer of legitimate
agricultural products, such as cocoa, due to its vast forests, fertile soil and
favourable climate.
He noted that while the majority of residents were
law-abiding, some still engaged in illicit cultivation.
Governor Aiyedatiwa assured the NDLEA of government’s
support, recalling past assistance with vehicles and logistics to aid
enforcement.
He welcomed the suggestion to establish an Alternative
Development Unit in the state, noting it could be placed under the governor’s
office, in collaboration with the ministry of agriculture and relevant
advisers.
The governor highlighted existing initiatives, including the
“Youth on Ridges” programme, where over 5,000 hectares were cleared for cocoa
cultivation to promote agriculture and job creation and the state’s “tomato
revolution,” which now accounted for about 40 per cent of Lagos tomatoe market.
He stressed that community engagement with traditional
rulers, churches and mosques would continue to encourage behavioural change
among those involved in illicit cultivation, noting that education and
enforcement were necessary to achieve lasting results.
Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed interest in the medicinal use
of cannabis oil, and urged the NDLEA to expedite ongoing studies and share the
findings with the state.
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