ABUJA, Nigeria (Oct. 8, 2025) — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said it is not opposed to the controlled and regulated export of cannabis oil to countries that require it but remains firmly against its domestic use in Nigeria.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), made the position known at a stakeholders’ workshop organised by the Nigerian Academy of Science in Abuja. The event, themed “Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria,” brought together scientists, policymakers, and experts to discuss the use of cannabinoids.
“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, commercial interests, or global trends,” Marwa said. “Cannabis oil may have medicinal properties worth investigating, but it also carries health risks, potential for misuse, and implications for public safety.”
He explained that while the agency supports scientific engagement on the matter, its primary responsibility remains safeguarding public health and ensuring national security. “We will not be averse to the idea of controlled export of cannabis oil to foreign companies and countries who desire it, as part of our drive to enhance foreign earnings,” Marwa said. “However, our concern is about its consumption in Nigeria. We are not opposed to exporting the oil, but such must be strictly controlled, licensed, and monitored by NDLEA within export free zones.”
Marwa emphasized that cannabis is not “just another plant” but a substance with “complex medical, social, and economic dimensions.” He warned that while the debate often highlights its potential therapeutic benefits, the associated risks — including addiction, mental health issues, and social consequences — are often overlooked.
“In a country already contending with a high burden of drug abuse, it is imperative that we approach this matter with sobriety, clarity, and balance,” he said. “Evidence shows that cannabis and its extracts can have adverse effects on mental health, especially among young people.”
He noted that the NDLEA had commissioned an ongoing study with the Nigerian Academy of Science to ensure that policy decisions on cannabis oil are informed by credible scientific evidence.
Marwa also highlighted the agency’s Alternative Development Project launched in 2023 — the first of its kind in Africa — aimed at reducing illicit drug cultivation by addressing root causes such as poverty, hunger, and unemployment.
“The project demands ethical responsibility and commitment to develop transformative policies to mitigate drug-related problems,” he said. “Our goal is to reduce vulnerabilities that push people into illicit economies, particularly cannabis cultivation.”
In his remarks, President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof. Abubakar Sambo, represented by Vice President Prof. Friday Okonofua, said the workshop sought to produce an evidence-based consensus on the contentious issue of cannabis oil use.
“At the end of the day, we’ll have an evidence-based consensus that will guide national policy on the use of cannabis,” he said.
Chairman of the NAS study committee, Prof. Musbau Akanbi, commended NDLEA for partnering with the Academy to promote science-driven policymaking, while Dr. Samuel Adekola, representing Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, urged participants to “move from debate to design and from potential to policy.”
In his keynote address, Prof. Oye Gureje, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neurosciences, and Substance Abuse, noted that while cannabis has limited medical use, widespread recreational consumption could increase the risk of psychosis and other public health concerns.
