15m Nigerians use drugs as Ondo records 336 arrests, 22,316kg seizures, says Marwa

….Aiyedatiwa pledges support for NDLEA’s alternative development programme

About 15 million Nigerians aged between 15 and 64 are drug users, almost three times the global average, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), has disclosed.

Marwa made the revelation on Monday during a courtesy visit with his delegation to Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, at the Governor’s Office in Akure.

Presenting detailed data on drug use prevalence, enforcement outcomes and cannabis production across the country, with specific reference to Ondo State, Marwa cited the 2018 United Nations drug use survey, noting that one in every seven Nigerians within the age bracket consumes drugs, a figure he described as alarmingly high.

According to the NDLEA chief, drug use prevalence in Ondo State stands at 17 per cent, representing about 400,000 users. He compared this with Lagos State, which has a prevalence rate of 33 per cent, amounting to approximately two million users, and Oyo State at 24 per cent.

Providing operational statistics, Marwa revealed that in 2025 alone, the NDLEA command in Ondo State recorded 336 arrests, seized 22,316 kilogrammes of illicit substances and secured 62 convictions. He added that 207,000 kilogrammes of cannabis were seized and destroyed from farms and plantations across the state during the period.

He further disclosed that the NDLEA’s counselling and rehabilitation centre in Ondo State treated 243 drug users last year, describing Ondo as the highest producer of cannabis in Nigeria due to favourable climate and soil conditions.

Marwa also stated that the NDLEA had commissioned the Nigerian Academy of Science to conduct a scientific study on cannabis-extracted oil for medicinal purposes, stressing that any policy decision on controlled cultivation and export would be strictly guided by evidence.

The NDLEA chairman said the agency had established an Alternative Development Unit at its headquarters to complement enforcement efforts by engaging cannabis-growing communities to transition from illicit cultivation to legal crops. The programme, he explained, includes community development initiatives such as the provision of farm inputs, infrastructure, schools, healthcare facilities and access to markets to ensure sustainable livelihoods.

He added that Ondo State has been selected for a pilot study of the programme following one year of engagement with cannabis-producing communities.

Marwa also acknowledged the support of the Ondo State Government, including the establishment of a State Drug Control Committee, plans to replicate it at the local government level, as well as financial and operational assistance to the NDLEA command.

Commending the governor for receiving the delegation despite competing responsibilities, Marwa said the engagement reflected strong state-level commitment to tackling drug abuse and trafficking, which he described as vital to the success of national interventions.

Responding, Governor Aiyedatiwa pledged the full support of his administration to the NDLEA following the launch of the Alternative Development Programme in Ondo State.

He commended Marwa for personally leading the initiative, describing the approach as evidence of dedication to addressing illicit drug cultivation, production, trafficking and consumption.

The governor praised the NDLEA for complementing enforcement with an initiative that would provide farmers with alternative sources of livelihood and thanked the agency for selecting Ondo State as the pilot location.

While acknowledging data identifying Ondo as the largest producer of cannabis in Nigeria, Aiyedatiwa noted that the state is also a major producer of legitimate agricultural commodities such as cocoa, attributable to its vast forests, fertile soil and favourable climate.

He assured the NDLEA of continued government backing, recalling previous support through the provision of vehicles and logistics to strengthen enforcement operations.

Governor Aiyedatiwa welcomed the proposal to establish an Alternative Development Unit in the state, suggesting it could operate under the Governor’s Office in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and relevant advisers.

He highlighted existing initiatives, including the “Youth on Ridges” programme, under which over 5,000 hectares have been cleared for cocoa cultivation to promote agriculture and job creation, as well as the state’s “tomato revolution,” which now supplies about 40 per cent of tomatoes sold in Lagos markets.

The governor emphasised the importance of sustained engagement with traditional rulers, churches and mosques to encourage behavioural change among those involved in illicit cultivation, noting that education and enforcement must work together to achieve enduring results.

He also expressed interest in the medicinal application of cannabis oil and urged the NDLEA to expedite ongoing studies and share findings with the state, advocating regulated cultivation for medical use in line with global practices.

Those present at the meeting included the Deputy Governor, Olayide Adelami; Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Commissioner for Health, Banji Ajaka; Commissioner for Information, Idowu Ajanaku; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Adesoji Afolabi; Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Leye Akinola; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Gbenga Atiba; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and Strategy, Gani Mohamed.

The visit was confirmed in a statement signed by Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State, dated 26 January 2026.


—

If you want next:

Shortened SEO web version

Alternative headline o