The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (retd.), has raised serious concern over the growing level of drug abuse in Nigeria, revealing that about 15 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 are involved in the use of illicit drugs.
Marwa described the figure as alarming and unacceptable, noting that it is almost three times higher than the global average. According to him, the data shows that one out of every seven Nigerians within the active and productive age group consumes illegal drugs.
The NDLEA boss made the disclosure on Monday during a courtesy visit to Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, at the Governor’s Office in Alagbaka, Akure. He was accompanied by top officials of the agency.
Marwa explained that the drug abuse crisis has become a major threat to public health, security, and national development. He said the widespread use of drugs is destroying families, weakening communities, and contributing to the rise in crime across the country.
Citing the 2018 United Nations drug use survey, Marwa said Ondo State has a drug use prevalence rate of 17 per cent, which translates to about 400,000 drug users. He compared this with Lagos State, which has a higher prevalence rate of 33 per cent, representing about two million users, and Oyo State with 24 per cent.
According to him, Ondo State also stands out as the highest producer of cannabis in Nigeria. He attributed this to the state’s favourable climate, fertile soil, and vast forest areas, which make cannabis cultivation easier for farmers involved in the illegal trade.
“The drug problem has had devastating effects on our families and communities,” Marwa said. “It has also promoted criminal activities. Terrorist groups like Boko Haram, kidnappers, and other criminal networks are linked to drug abuse and trafficking.”
He added that intelligence reports have shown that some kidnapping gangs now hide within cannabis-producing communities deep inside forests. According to him, these criminals take advantage of the availability of drugs and the difficult terrain to operate and evade security agencies.
Marwa provided figures to show the scale of NDLEA operations in Ondo State. He said that in 2025 alone, the NDLEA command in the state made 336 arrests related to drug offences. During the same period, officers seized 22,316 kilograms of illicit drugs.
He added that 62 suspects were convicted, while about 207,000 kilograms of cannabis were seized and destroyed directly from farms and plantations across the state. He also revealed that the NDLEA operates a counselling and rehabilitation centre in Ondo State, where 243 people received treatment last year.
Looking at the national picture, Marwa disclosed that the NDLEA has seized about 15,000 tonnes of illicit drugs across Nigeria in the past five years. He said more than 75 per cent of these seizures were cannabis, making it the most commonly abused drug in the country.
“Between 70 and 75 per cent of people who use drugs in Nigeria are cannabis users,” he said. “That is our biggest challenge when it comes to drug abuse.”
The NDLEA chairman said the agency is not relying on enforcement alone to address the problem. He explained that the NDLEA has commissioned the Nigerian Academy of Science to carry out a scientific study on cannabis-extracted oil for possible medicinal use.
According to him, any decision on controlled cultivation or export of cannabis for medical purposes would be based strictly on scientific evidence and global best practices. He stressed that the agency would not support illegal cultivation under any guise.
Marwa also revealed that the NDLEA has created an Alternative Development Unit at its headquarters. He said the unit is designed to work with communities involved in cannabis cultivation and help them switch to legal and sustainable farming activities.
“The strategy focuses on community development,” he explained. “It includes the provision of farm inputs, basic infrastructure, schools, health clinics, and access to markets, so that farmers can earn a living without engaging in illegal activities.”
He said Ondo State has been selected as a pilot state for the Alternative Development Programme after more than one year of engagement with cannabis-growing communities. According to him, the goal is to reduce dependence on illegal crops while improving the living conditions of the people.
Marwa praised the Ondo State Government for its strong support for the NDLEA. He noted that the state has established a State Drug Control Committee and has plans to extend the structure to local government areas. He also acknowledged the financial and operational support given to the NDLEA command in the state.
Responding, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa pledged the full support of his administration to the NDLEA and its programmes. He spoke during the official launch of the Alternative Development Programme in the state.
The governor commended Marwa for personally leading the initiative instead of delegating it to subordinates. He described the move as a sign of commitment to tackling drug abuse, illegal cultivation, trafficking, and consumption in Nigeria.
Aiyedatiwa said that while Ondo State is known for cannabis production, it is also a major producer of legal agricultural products, especially cocoa. He explained that the state’s forests, fertile land, and favourable climate support large-scale farming.
He stressed that the majority of Ondo residents are law-abiding citizens who depend on legitimate farming for survival, although a few still engage in illegal cannabis cultivation.
The governor also expressed support for the idea of controlled cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes. He said several countries around the world have approved cannabis-based products for medical use and economic benefits.
According to him, cannabis oil is one of the most expensive oils traded globally, and Nigeria could benefit if scientific studies support its safe and legal use. He urged the NDLEA to speed up its research and share the findings with the state government.