₦airaland Forum

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (rtd.), on Monday raised the alarm that about 15 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 are involved in the intake of illicit drugs.

While expressing concern that the staggering statistic is nearly three times the global average, Marwa, who described the figure as unacceptable, revealed that one in every seven Nigerians in the age bracket consumes drugs.

Marwa, who made the disclosure during a courtesy visit with his entourage to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa at the Governor’s office, Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital, lamented that the state is the highest producer of cannabis in Nigeria, due to what he described as favourable climate and soil conditions.

With the NDLEA boss presenting data on drug use prevalence, enforcement outcomes and cannabis production across the country, with particular emphasis on Ondo State, Marwa, who cited the 2018 United Nations drug use survey, maintained that drug use prevalence in Ondo State stands at 17 per cent, translating to roughly 400,000 users.

Marwa, who compared the Ondo data with 33 per cent in Lagos State with two million users and 24 per cent in Oyo State, stressed that “The drug use has had devastating consequences on our families and our communities. It has also promoted criminality, as we know.

“The Boko Haram, the terrorists, the kidnappers. In fact, the kidnappers now, through intelligence, our intelligence sources have been shown to live among the cannabis-cultivating communities in the deep forests. And that makes sense to them. Why not establish a base where the drugs are readily available?

“Last year, 2025, the NDLEA in Ondo State Command made 336 arrests. They seized 22,316 kilograms of illicit substances. They convicted 62 and seized and destroyed 207,000 kilograms worth of cannabis in the plantations and farms. We have a counselling and rehab centre here. We treated 243.

“But of the 15,000 tonnes of illicit substances that NDLEA seized in the last five years, over 75 per cent is cannabis. That’s our greatest challenge in the consumption of drugs in Nigeria. That was 70 to 75 per cent of those who use drugs actually use cannabis,” Marwa stated.

Meanwhile, the NDLEA Chairman disclosed that the agency 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 further stressed that NDLEA had also 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 said.

While stating that the state has been selected for a pilot study of the programme, following a year of engagement with cannabis-producing communities.

Marwa also highlighted the 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.

On his part, Aiyedatiwa, who pledged the full support of his administration to the NDLEA following the launch of the agency’s Alternative Development Programme in the state, 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.

Aiyedatiwa added that Ondo is also a major producer of legitimate agricultural products, such as cocoa, due to its vast forests, fertile soil and favourable climate, maintaining that the majority of residents are law-abiding; some still engage in illicit cultivation.

The governor, who advocated controlled cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes, cited global practices and recent approvals in other countries, noting that cannabis oil is among the most expensive oils traded globally.

He expressed interest in the medicinal use of cannabis oil, urging the NDLEA to expedite ongoing studies and share the findings with the state.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/15-million-nigerians-on-drugs-marwa/

A drug-peddling president leading a country full of addicts.

Come 2027 those 15 million addicts will fight tooth and nail to make sure their drug peddler wins the presidential election.

Their president is the No.1 on the list though, so what do you expect others to do?

What do you expect when the number 1 man is their OVERLORD

What is the percentage of that to the entire nation.

I can see why most Nigerian behave like an insane person

When the no 1 deal with drug

If 15m people make use of cannabis why not legalise it and regulate it as well.

That's should be a hugh stream of revenue for the government.

I think it is more than 15m.

Way more.

It's More Than, Only Southern Nigeria is Far More Than That

I doubt if Marwa has the statistics right, this is where you need those Statinonsense people. 15 million is way below 1% of the population and we all know it's more prevalent than that, at least 2 out of every 5 is on one form of cheap drugs or another

You mean 15million Nigerians they do weed....


No wonder the business dey lucrative.
But shaa know say if them catch you, my hand no dey

How were they able to get those numbers? We need to know

MrEar:
Source: https://guardian.ng/news/15-million-nigerians-on-drugs-marwa/

Starting from the leader.

Lmaooooooooooo

It should be more than because I have more than 7million people that are on drug abuse in my area

Make you just say 80% of the youth.

I dey sure na like 12m get access to Internet....

Karl Marx opined in the mid 18th Century that there is an evaluated correlation between social depression and the rise in penticostalism and use of opioids.

The scholar further established that there is a correlation between polarisation ( the gap between the rich & poor) and depression which leads to substance abuse.

Depression and social acceptance is a more common factor leading to substance dependency than medical use.

E don finish be that
Approximately from the 15 million.. 14.99 are the youth .
Leaders of tomorrow
Anyways today leaders are druggies so expect nothing less

Number one on the list is our druggie lord

I won't dispute the figures.....
So many of them here on Nairaland especially those APC supporters

MrEar:
Source: https://guardian.ng/news/15-million-nigerians-on-drugs-marwa/

This is the most foolish stats about drug abusers in country ever

making outrageous claims without any evidence base empirical backing

Hahahahahaha
Lol
LOL! Lmao

Are you sure it is not more than that?

For me the number stated here is very low, 1 out of every 3 Nigerian is in drug unknowningly

90 percent of those are registered apc members for sure

At least I'm not part of the 15m ..

Say no to drugs

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (rtd.), on Monday raised the alarm that about 15 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 are involved in the intake of illicit drugs.

200k are available here on nairaland

Chai! DCMA stop please. A life of drugs only leads to destruction.

This is underreported honestly

Agbo jedi users alone is 10m