The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), revealed on Wednesday that the agency has seized more than 10 million kilograms of cannabis in the past four and a half years.
Marwa made the disclosure in Abuja during a stakeholders’ workshop themed “The Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria,” organised by the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS). The event was part of the academy’s ongoing study aimed at examining both the potential benefits and risks of cannabis oil use in Nigeria.
Currently, Nigeria’s laws classify cannabis as an illegal substance, and possession or use attracts severe penalties. However, as several countries around the world legalise cannabis for medical purposes, conversations have begun within Nigeria about whether a regulated system could provide health and economic advantages.
The workshop sought to review scientific evidence on the therapeutic use of cannabis oil, examine international best practices for its regulation and distribution, identify potential risks, and assess Nigeria’s current legal and policy framework. It also aimed to collect input from various stakeholders and generate evidence-based recommendations for policymakers considering whether to legalise cannabis oil for medical use.
In his address, Marwa warned that Nigeria must tread carefully, stressing that the country already faces serious challenges with drug abuse. He noted that about 10.6 million Nigerians currently use cannabis, according to the most recent Drug Use Survey.
“We must ensure that whatever position Nigeria adopts is guided by science, responsibility, and the best interests of our people,” he said.
Marwa explained that while discussions often highlight the medical and economic potential of cannabis oil, its mental health risks are often downplayed.
“Prolonged or uncontrolled use of cannabis and its extracts can lead to anxiety, depression, psychosis, and cognitive impairment,” he warned. “Dependence and addiction are also very real concerns. These effects come with significant social and economic costs for families and society.”
He also pointed out that in many countries, the lack of proper regulation has led to inconsistent cannabis oil products that may contain harmful contaminants or vary widely in potency.
> “Nigeria already has one of the highest rates of cannabis misuse in the world,” Marwa added. “With a national substance abuse rate of 14.4% — far above the global average of 5.6% — the risks cannot be ignored. While cannabis oil may have some medicinal value, its dangers must be addressed with strong safeguards before any policy shift.”
He highlighted the NDLEA’s aggressive enforcement efforts, noting that over 10 million kilograms (10,000 tons) of cannabis had been seized in the last four and a half years.
“Imagine if all that had found its way into our communities,” Marwa said. “The damage would have been unimaginable.”
Marwa commended the Nigerian Academy of Science for fostering informed and science-based discussions on the sensitive issue.
In his opening remarks, Emeritus Professor Musbau Akanji, Chairman of the NAS Study Committee on Cannabis Oil Use in Nigeria, stressed the need for evidence-based policymaking.
“This workshop is an important step toward exploring the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis oil while keeping in mind its social and legal implications,” said Akanji, who is also a professor of Biochemistry.
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He explained that the committee had gathered data nationwide and was collaborating with scientists and policymakers to develop recommendations grounded in science, law, and Nigeria’s socio-economic realities.
The NAS committee is expected to finalise its report soon and submit its findings to the NDLEA, which will then advise the Federal Government on the best policy direction regarding cannabis oil use in Nigeria.
