The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced that it seized over 10 million kilograms of cannabis in the last four and a half years.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), revealed this in Abuja on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ workshop titled ‘The Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria.’
The event, organised by the Nigerian Academy of Science, focused on the possible benefits and risks of legalising cannabis oil for medical use in the country.
Marwa said the agency’s record seizure shows the scale of cannabis abuse in Nigeria and stressed that the country must handle the issue of cannabis legalisation carefully.
“In the last four and a half years, the NDLEA has made seizures of over 10 million kilograms of cannabis — that is, 10,000 tons of illicit substances. Imagine if that had gone down to the streets and been consumed by Nigerians,” he said.
He warned that while some people are promoting the economic and medical benefits of cannabis oil, they often ignore its serious health risks.
“The prolonged or uncontrolled use of cannabis and its extracts is linked to anxiety, depression, psychosis, and cognitive impairments. Dependence and addiction are real concerns as well,” he said.
Marwa added that Nigeria already has one of the highest rates of cannabis misuse globally, with 10.6 million users. He said this figure, combined with a 14.4 percent national drug abuse rate, makes the country’s situation too serious to ignore.
He urged that any discussion on cannabis oil must be guided by science, responsibility, and the best interest of Nigerians.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the NAS Study Committee on Cannabis Oil Use in Nigeria, Emeritus Professor Musbau Akanji, said policy decisions must be based on scientific evidence.
“The workshop marks an important step in exploring the potential therapeutic uses of cannabis oil while remaining mindful of its social and legal dimensions,” Akanji said.
He noted that the committee had gathered data from across the country and would present recommendations that align with Nigeria’s social and legal realities.
The committee’s final report is expected to be submitted soon to the NDLEA, which will advise the Federal Government on the next policy steps.
