15m Nigerians Affected by Drug Use as NDLEA Begins Intervention

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) Alternative Development Programme has commenced a pilot intervention in Ondo State, South-West Nigeria, aimed at tackling illicit drug cultivation and drug abuse.

During a courtesy visit to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in Akure, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, citing a 2018 UN survey, revealed that about 15 million Nigerians aged 15-64 use drugs, nearly three times the global average.

According to him, Ondo State has a drug use prevalence rate of 17 per cent, estimated at about 400,000 users, compared with Lagos State’s 33 per cent and Oyo State’s 24 per cent.

He disclosed that in 2025, the NDLEA Ondo Command made 336 arrests, seized 22,316kg of drugs, secured 62 convictions and destroyed 207,000kg of cannabis, with 243 users treated at its rehabilitation centre.

Mr. Marwa described Ondo as Nigeria’s largest producer of cannabis, attributing this to its favourable climate and soil, and added that the NDLEA has commissioned the Nigerian Academy of Science to study the medicinal potential of cannabis-extracted oil.

He explained that the programme promotes a shift from cannabis cultivation to legal agriculture, and that Ondo was selected for the pilot phase following extensive community engagement.

The establishment of an Alternative Development Unit was aimed to engage cannabis-growing communities and promote a transition to legal agricultural activities. The programme focuses on sustainable livelihoods through farm inputs, infrastructure, schools, clinics and access to markets.

The state governor, Aiyedatiwa who welcomed the intervention, pledged the full support of his administration to ensure adequate implementation.

Safiya Muhammed Bello