The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared its support for the controlled export of cannabis oil for therapeutic purposes, while firmly opposing its local consumption in Nigeria. This position was reiterated by NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), during a high-level stakeholders workshop on the cannabis oil debate, hosted by the Nigerian Academy of Science in Abuja.
Themed “Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria,” the event brought together scientists, policymakers, and health experts to deliberate on the prospects and risks of cannabis oil use.
Marwa welcomed the dialogue, noting the importance of science-driven decisions in shaping Nigeria’s drug policy. “We believe Nigeria must make informed choices, not choices driven by half-truths, commercial interests, or global trends,” he said. “Cannabis oil may have medicinal properties worth investigating, but it also carries health risks, potential for misuse, and implications for public safety.”
He clarified that while the NDLEA is open to the regulated export of cannabis oil to countries that permit its therapeutic use, any such activity must be “strictly controlled, licensed, and monitored” by the agency, and confined to designated export free zones. “Our concern is about its consumption in Nigeria,” Marwa emphasized, citing Nigeria’s already high prevalence of drug abuse.
Referencing statistics from the 2018 drug use survey, Marwa revealed that Nigeria has over 10.6 million cannabis users and a national drug abuse prevalence rate of 14.4%—nearly triple the global average of 5.6%. He warned of the risks associated with cannabis oil, particularly on mental health, including links to anxiety, psychosis, and addiction.
He also highlighted NDLEA’s alternative development project launched in 2023, aimed at addressing the root causes of illicit drug cultivation such as poverty and unemployment. “We intend to reduce these vulnerabilities through sensitisation, empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods,” he added.
In his remarks, Prof. Abubakar Sambo, President of the Nigerian Academy of Science represented by Vice President Prof. Friday Okonofua said the workshop aimed to produce an evidence-based consensus that will guide national cannabis policy.
Chairman of NAS Study Committee on Cannabis Oil, Prof. Musbau Akanbi, praised the NDLEA for seeking scientific guidance, noted
that legalising cannabis oil would inevitably lead to the large-scale cultivation of cannabis, with both economic and regulatory implications.
Representing Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Dr. Samuel Adekola said Nigeria must seize the opportunity to transition “from debate to design” and develop policies that position the country as a leader in cannabis-based therapeutics on the African continent.
Delivering the keynote, Prof. Oye Gureje, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research in Mental Health, acknowledged that cannabis has some limited medical uses, but warned that widespread recreational use could increase the risk of psychosis and negatively impact public health, including a likely rise in road accidents.
As the debate on cannabis oil continues, stakeholders agreed that Nigeria’s path forward must be anchored in science, regulation, and a clear-eyed assessment of public health priorities.
