By Nkechi Eze
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), has said the Agency supports the controlled export of cannabis oil to countries that require it but remains firmly opposed to its local use in Nigeria.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ workshop themed “Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria”, organized by the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) in Abuja on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, Marwa said the conversation on cannabis oil was timely and necessary.
“At the NDLEA, our position on cannabis oil is clear, we welcome dialogue. Nigeria must take informed decisions based on facts and evidence, not on global trends or commercial interests. While cannabis oil may have potential medicinal value, it also poses health risks and social dangers. That is why scientists, medical experts, and policymakers must carefully examine all sides of the issue before any decision is made,” Marwa said.
He emphasized that the Agency is not against scientific research or innovation but insists that caution must guide policy decisions. “Policy must protect lives and public health while supporting our national anti-drug campaign. We are therefore not opposed to the controlled export of cannabis oil to foreign companies or countries that legally demand it, provided such export is strictly regulated, licensed, and supervised by the NDLEA, and conducted only within export processing zones,” he added.
Explaining NDLEA’s stance further, Marwa said cannabis is not an ordinary plant but a substance with complex medical, social, and economic implications. He noted that the debate has often been dominated by those who highlight its potential benefits while ignoring its risks. According to him, NDLEA’s collaboration with the Nigerian Academy of Science to study cannabis oil reflects its commitment to evidence-based policymaking.
“In a country already facing a serious drug abuse problem, we must approach this issue with balance and clarity,” Marwa cautioned. He pointed out that studies have shown cannabis and its derivatives can negatively affect mental health, especially among youths, leading to anxiety, depression, psychosis, and addiction. With Nigeria’s substance abuse prevalence at 14.4 percent, significantly above the global average of 5.6 percent and an estimated 10.6 million cannabis users, Marwa warned that the country could not afford to ignore the dangers.
He also expressed concern over the lack of standard regulation in cannabis production globally, saying that many products labeled as cannabis oil often differ in potency or contain harmful contaminants.
Highlighting NDLEA’s efforts to curb illicit drug cultivation, Marwa spoke about the Agency’s Alternative Development Project, launched in 2023 as the first of its kind in Africa. The initiative aims to provide ethical and humanitarian solutions to the socio-economic factors that drive people into illegal drug cultivation and trade. “The project focuses on addressing poverty, hunger, and unemployment that push people into cultivating cannabis, while providing skills, empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods,” he explained.
In his opening remarks, NAS President, Prof. Abubakar Sambo, represented by the Academy’s Vice President, Prof. Friday Okonofua, said the workshop sought to reach a science-based consensus on the issue. “At the end of this exercise, we will produce an evidence-based report to guide national policy on cannabis use,” he said.
Chairman of the NAS Study Committee on Cannabis Oil Use, Prof. Musbau Akanbi, commended NDLEA’s proactive approach in seeking scientific input before making policy decisions. He explained that since cannabis oil is derived from cannabis, legalizing its use would naturally encourage large-scale cultivation, hence the need for careful study and regulation.
Speaking on behalf of Ondo State Governor, Dr. Samuel Adekola stressed that the workshop provides an opportunity for Nigeria to move from debate to practical policy design. He urged participants to craft a framework that not only benefits public health but also positions Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s emerging cannabis research and regulation field.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Oye Gureje, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neurosciences, and Substance Abuse at the University of Ibadan, noted that while cannabis may have limited medicinal applications, increased recreational use could lead to higher cases of psychosis and road accidents, thereby posing a moderate threat to public health.
