NDLEA confirms Nigeria recorded 10.6 million cannabis sativa users in 2019.
At the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) 40th Annual Olumide Memorial Lecture held in Abuja, The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), stated that the country’s drug use prevalence of 14.4 percent in Nigeria is one of the highest in the world compared to the global average of 5.6 percent. He had earlier disclosed in 2019 that Nigeria records 10.6 million users making the country one of the highest consumers of cannabis in the world.
While emphasizing the figure, Marwa stated that the cannabis user figure recorded is higher than the entire population of Portugal or the United Arab Emirates. Marwa said these figures have a substantial negative impact which, if not addressed, could land a big blow and become an overwhelming albatross capable of undermining significant national development in the coming years. In a developing country like Nigeria, having over 35 million people suffering from drug use disorder, this is alarming.
Activists advocate for cannabis legalization.
Most important is the increasing illusion propagated by some activists and politicians that Nigeria can boost its economic growth by cashing in on the global cannabis market, which is projected to be worth $103.9 billion by 2024. These groups have advocated for the legalization of the cultivation of cannabis sativa in recent years, seeing it as the panacea for Nigeria’s economic growth. Regarding the issue, references have been made to some western countries that have legalized the use of cannabis or cannabis derivatives and other countries that are making economic gains from the cultivation and exportation of cannabis.
Marwa argued that the crux of their argument is narco-dollar revenue for the country, while they often fail to mention the reality of the drug problems the countries mentioned are facing as well as the human and materiality costs of the problems. Meanwhile, the economic cost of drug abuse in 2007 was estimated at $193 billion and lost productivity accounted for $120 billion, while $11 billion was spent on healthcare for drug treatment and drug‐related medical consequences.
Illicit substance prevalence undermined development.
Furtherly, he sighted an instance in 2007 when the economic cost of drug abuse in the United States was estimated at $193 billion. Of this, lost productivity accounted for $120 billion, mainly due to labour participation costs, participation in drug‐ abuse treatment, incarceration, and premature death. On the other hand, $11 billion was spent on healthcare–for drug treatment and medical consequences. Ultimately, $61 billion was spent on criminal justice, primarily for criminal investigation, prosecution and incarceration, and victim costs.
The NDLEA chairman also recalled the episodic outbreak of methamphetamine, popularly known as ‘Mkpuru Mmiri’ across the Southeastern part of Nigeria in the last quarter of 2021 noting that the situation undermined development and caused instability in the country. He stated that this is ample evidence and real-life experience to be aware that the outcome of abuse of illicit substances is instability, and there cannot be significant development where chaos and instability are prevalent.
Government launched a cannabis survey project to curb drug abuse.
On the government’s part to provide a measure, with the joint efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the UNODC Country Office in Nigeria (CONIG), and the UNODC Research and Trend Analysis Branch, has launched the “Nigeria Cannabis Survey”. A survey which provides a baseline assessment of the extent of cannabis cultivation in Nigeria. This was implemented under the project “Response to Drugs and Related Organized Crime in Nigeria,” funded by the European Union and aims to support Nigeria’s efforts in fighting drug production, trafficking and use and curbing related organized crime.
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Recorded nigerian cannabis users outnumber the whole populations of Portugal or the United Arab Emirates.
In 2007, the cost of drug abuse to the economy was estimated to be $193 billion. This included $120 billion in lost productivity and $11 billion spent on health care for drug treatment and medical problems caused by drugs.
This is concerning in a developing country like Nigeria, where over 35 million people suffer from a drug use disorder.
Everything thing about Nigeria keep skyrocketing imagine we been one of the highest consumer of cannabis in the world our youths have really derailed from normal norms in the society.
I applaud the work NDLEA is using. It is quite unfortunate we take a large chunk of Cannabis. This hard drug affects our body system and still people use it. There should be enough enlightenment to deter people from taking this hard drugs.
Illicit drugs usage among the people these days is too much. And it’s all result to instability in the country. Our government needs to find one way or the other to subdue the drug a use issue as soon as possible to avoid further consequences.
It is good govt is prepared to work in hand with the NDLEA to support them in fighting drug production, trafficking and use and curbing related organized crime. I believe the project Response to Drugs and Related Organized Crime in Nigeria would be of great help in combatting the abuse of drug.
The government needs to work hand with the NDLEA to stop the production and distribution of hard drug. And these days use of hard drug is common within the people especially the youth which damages the health and do bad to the body
I will love it if the cultivation of cannabis can be legalized provide proper guide and regulations are made to curb any forms of abuse. Inspite of the fight by NDLEA against cannabis Nigeria still recorded world’s highest cannabis user. The NDLEA are working and so many records have proven that and the can do more.
The statistics on the percentage of people using cannabis in the country maybe even more than this and it’s seriously having bad effect on the life’s of the younger ones
With a drug use rate of 14.4 percent, Nigeria is among the world’s highest. The global average is 5.6 percent. When he first made this revelation in 2019, he shocked the globe. He said that Nigeria had 10.6 million users, making it the top consumer of cannabis in the world.
Our government needs to work hand with the NDLEA to stop the production and distribution of hard drug.
These numbers have a huge negative impact that, if left unaddressed, might deliver a knockout punch and become an overwhelming albatross capable of damaging significant national development in the years ahead.
10.6 million cannabis sativa users in 2019 that is huge figure. Kudos to NDLEA for performance keep up the good job. Federal Government need to come up with strategy plans to curb the abuse of drugs particularly cannabis.
Most significant is the growing notion that Nigeria can increase its economic growth by capitalizing on the global cannabis market, which is estimated to be worth a lot by the year 2024. This is an idea that has been spread by various activists and politicians.
In recent years, several groups have seen the cultivation of cannabis sativa as the solution to all of Nigeria’s economic woes, and as such, they have lobbied for its legalization and regulation.
In relation to this matter, references have been made to certain western countries that have legalized the use of cannabis or cannabis derivatives, as well as certain other countries that are benefiting economically from the cultivation and exportation of cannabis.
The Nigerian government has launched the “Nigeria Cannabis Survey” with the help of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office in Nigeria (CONIG), and the UNODC Research and Trend Analysis Branch. Quantitative study of cannabis growing in Nigeria to establish a reference point
Abuse of illegal substances will inevitably result in chaos, and there can be no significant progress made in an environment characterized by an abundance of disorder and anarchy. This is a fact that is supported by a sufficient amount of evidence as well as experience gained from real-world situations.
A number of western nations that have legalized the use of cannabis or cannabis derivatives as well as other nations that profit economically from the cultivation and exportation of cannabis have been mentioned.
Despite the government frowning at the use of cannabis, we are still recorded to have the highest users. So what’s the significant of it being illegal, when those interested still find their way to get it. Legalizing it will help the nation benefit economically. After it’s not legal, yet we have the highest users