Rethinking Nigeria’s fight against drug abuse

Nigeria’s long-running battle against illicit drug abuse has produced notable enforcement gains in recent years.

However, beneath these headline successes lies a growing public health and socio-economic crisis that continues to threaten communities nationwide.

Against this backdrop, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) recently reported 77,792 arrests, including 128 barons, and 14,225 convictions over five years.

During the same period, the agency also seized more than 14.8 million kilograms of illicit substances.

The Chairman of the NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Marwa, made the disclosure at the 11th Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CCEO) Awards and Commendation Ceremony held at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja.

According to Marwa, the era of Nigeria being a safe haven for illicit drug enterprises was over, adding that the next phase of the fight would require even greater courage and resolve.

“When I first resumed in 2021, I promised to take the fight to the doorsteps of the merchants of death.

“Today, the numbers speak for themselves. Through our collective resilience, we have sent a clear message that Nigeria is no longer a haven for illicit drug enterprises,” he said.

Beyond arrests and seizures, Marwa noted that the agency had also strengthened its demand-reduction strategy.

“In line with our balanced approach, the agency prioritised drug demand reduction.

“Through structured treatment, counselling and rehabilitation programmes, 32,442 drug users received professional intervention.

“Additionally, 13,735 War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities were conducted across schools, motor parks, workplaces, worship centres and communities, expanding preventive awareness and citizen engagement nationwide,” he said.

In spite of these gains, however, experts and stakeholders warn that illicit drug abuse in Nigeria continues to thrive quietly in both bustling urban centres and remote rural communities

Once largely a transit route for international drug cartels, Nigeria has, over time, evolved into a high-consumption country.

Indeed, data frequently cited by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the NDLEA point to a severe national drug abuse crisis.

Statistics covering 2018 to 2025 indicate that about 14.4 per cent of Nigerians aged 15–64; approximately 14.3 million people, use psychoactive substances.

Notably, this prevalence rate is nearly three times the global average of 5.6 per cent, with an estimated three million Nigerians suffering from drug use disorders.

According to the reports, cannabis remains the most commonly used substance, with about 10.6 million users, followed by the non-medical use of prescription opioids such as tramadol and codeine, as well as tranquilizers.

More recently, dangerous synthetic mixtures; including Colorado, Colos and Kush have gained popularity among young Nigerians.

Similarly, there has been a sharp rise in the use of methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth, which public health experts describe as alarming.

Consequently, the high rate of drug use has fuelled serious health challenges, including drug-related disorders, mental health conditions and an increased risk of HIV infection, compounded by limited access to treatment and rehabilitation services.

A 2023 study by the National Institute of Social Economy Research (NISER) on the impact of drug abuse on youth quality of life further highlights the scale of the problem.

The study found that drug abuse is undermining youth wellbeing and national socio-economic development.

“Overall, drug abuse impacts general health, social relationships, physical wellbeing, living conditions and the psychological state of youths involved.

“A disturbing trend is the increasing involvement of females in drug abuse.

“The social and economic development of a state is closely linked to the quality of life of its citizens, as healthy people ultimately build a healthy nation.

“Quality of life incorporates individuals’ physical and psychological health, their level of independence, social relationships and interaction with their environment,” the report stated.

Beyond health implications, experts argue that the crisis reflects deeper socio-economic challenges.

In particular, poverty, youth unemployment and weak social safety nets are seen as creating fertile ground for substance abuse.

However, stakeholders insist that access to drugs remains the most critical driver of the crisis.

They point to Nigeria’s porous borders and systemic corruption as major conduits for the inflow of illicit substances.

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, underscored this concern.

“Reasons for abuse of drugs include smuggling through porous seaports and land borders, corruption and compromise at points of entry, diversion of legitimate exports to illicit use, weak inspections and weak penalties for sellers and traffickers,” she said.

In response, stakeholders are calling for stricter border control measures, especially through the deployment of modern technology.

The Director of Research and Training, and Head of the Drug Abuse Unit at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Ogun State, Dr Sunday Amosu, stressed the importance of tracking traffickers.

“The same technology that helps us track recovery can also be used by traffickers. We must harness advanced surveillance and data-driven policing to disrupt transnational supply chains,” he said.

Additionally, stakeholders are urging the NDLEA to intensify WADA activities through closer collaboration with health workers, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations and grassroots government structures.

Equally important, they emphasise the need for strong public-private partnerships to expand rehabilitation and post-rehabilitation facilities.

“The facilities we have now are overstretched, underfunded and far from modern. Ideally, we should have world-class treatment centres in every state.

“Furthermore, if rehabilitated former addicts are not supported with skills acquisition and start-up capital, in eight out of 10 cases, they will relapse,” a stakeholder said.

Meanwhile, some policy experts advocate a more balanced response that does not focus solely on punishment.

There is growing support for the decriminalisation of small quantities of drugs for personal use, as practised in countries such as Portugal and the Netherlands.

Groups such as the Drug Harm Reduction Advocacy Network (DHRAN) promote this approach through initiatives like Sustaining Advocacy for Decriminalisation of Drug Use (SAD-DU), which prioritise treatment and support over incarceration.

Ultimately, experts agree that regardless of the policy model adopted, the fight against drug abuse in Nigeria cannot be left to the NDLEA alone.

From parents noticing changes in their children’s behaviour to lawmakers shaping drug policies, every stakeholder has a role to play.

By combining firm law enforcement with compassionate care and sustainable rehabilitation, Nigeria can begin to reclaim its youth population and safeguard its long-term social and economic future.