The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), has clarified that the agency is not opposed to the regulated export of cannabis oil for legitimate purposes but remains firmly against its domestic use in Nigeria.
This position was made known in a statement by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, following a stakeholders’ workshop themed “Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria” held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
Marwa described the ongoing conversation around cannabis oil as a welcome development, emphasizing that while dialogue is important, policy decisions must be guided by science, public health considerations, and national interest—not commercial or global trends.
“At NDLEA, our position on cannabis oil is simple: we welcome dialogue. We believe Nigeria must make informed choices, not choices driven by half-truths or commercial interests,” Marwa stated. “Cannabis oil may have medicinal properties worth investigating, but it also carries health risks and implications for public safety. Scientists, medical experts, policymakers, and regulators must examine the evidence and weigh options carefully.”
The NDLEA boss reaffirmed that the agency is not against scientific innovation but insists on caution and control.
“We are not opposed to science or innovation. What we insist on is caution. Policy must protect lives and strengthen our fight against drug abuse. We are open to the controlled export of cannabis oil to foreign countries that legally use it for therapeutic purposes, but local consumption remains unacceptable,” he said.
He added that any export framework would be strictly licensed, monitored, and restricted to export free zones under NDLEA supervision.
Marwa, however, warned that Nigeria must tread carefully given its high drug abuse prevalence rate. Citing data from the 2018 National Drug Use Survey, he noted that Nigeria’s 14.4% drug abuse rate is more than twice the global average of 5.6%, with an estimated 10.6 million cannabis users nationwide.
“We are talking about cannabis, which is not just another plant—it’s a substance with complex medical, social, and economic dimensions. While advocates highlight potential benefits, the risks are often ignored. Evidence shows cannabis use can cause anxiety, depression, psychosis, and addiction, especially among young people,” he cautioned.
The NDLEA boss also expressed concern about the lack of standardization in cannabis oil production globally, noting that products vary in potency and are often contaminated or misused outside medical supervision.
As part of efforts to tackle illicit drug cultivation and provide sustainable alternatives, Marwa highlighted the agency’s Alternative Development Project, introduced in 2023—the first of its kind in Africa.
“The project focuses on addressing the vulnerabilities—ignorance, poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment—that drive people into illicit drug economies. Our goal is to redirect communities from cannabis cultivation to lawful, productive ventures through sensitization, skills acquisition, and empowerment,” he said.
Marwa reiterated NDLEA’s commitment to developing ethical and humanitarian policies that protect public health and national security while supporting economic opportunities under strict regulation.