NDLEA Backs Regulated Export of Cannabis Oil, Opposes Local Use – Marwa
Stakeholders, Scientists Debate Cannabis Oil Use at Nigerian Academy of Science Workshop
The Chairman and CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), says the agency supports the controlled export of cannabis oil for medical use abroad, but firmly opposes its local consumption due to Nigeria’s ongoing drug abuse crisis.
Speaking at a workshop themed “Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria” held by the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) in Abuja on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Marwa emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking. He noted that while cannabis oil may have potential medical benefits, its associated risks—particularly addiction and mental health concerns—must not be ignored.
“At NDLEA, our position is clear—we are not against science or innovation, but we demand caution,” Marwa stated. “Cannabis is not just another plant. It has complex medical, social, and economic dimensions. Policy must protect lives, not endanger them.”
Marwa said the NDLEA is open to cannabis oil being produced under strict regulation for export purposes only, and such activities must take place within export free zones, with NDLEA oversight. He added that the Agency has commissioned a study on cannabis oil through the NAS to ensure decisions are grounded in science.
He cited the 2018 drug use survey that revealed over 10.6 million Nigerians use cannabis, with the country’s substance abuse prevalence at 14.4%, far above the global average of 5.6%. These statistics, he said, make it clear that Nigeria must tread carefully.
“Cannabis oil products are often inconsistent in quality, sometimes contaminated, and misused. In a country already struggling with widespread cannabis misuse, this is not a matter to take lightly,” Marwa warned.
He also highlighted the NDLEA’s Alternative Development Project launched in 2023—the first of its kind in Africa—as a proactive step toward curbing illicit drug cultivation. The initiative aims to address the root causes such as poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment, which push communities into illegal cannabis farming.
In his remarks, NAS Vice President Prof. Friday Okonofua (representing NAS President Prof. Abubakar Sambo) said the workshop aimed to generate an evidence-based consensus to guide national policy. Prof. Musbau Akanbi, Chair of the NAS study committee on cannabis oil, commended NDLEA’s collaboration and emphasized that legalizing cannabis oil would inevitably encourage large-scale cannabis farming.
Dr. Samuel Adekola, representing Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said the workshop offered Nigeria a chance to turn discussion into actionable policies that benefit both healthcare and the economy.
Delivering the keynote, Prof. Oye Gureje of the University of Ibadan and WHO Collaborating Centre noted that while cannabis has some limited medical use, its recreational use is linked to increased risk of psychosis, road accidents, and public health concerns.
The workshop brought together experts from various fields to chart a careful and evidence-based path for Nigeria’s policy on cannabis oil.
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