— As Marwa reveals 15m Nigerians use drugs; Ondo records 336 arrests, 22,316kg seizures
Akure, January 26, 2026
Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to fully support the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), particularly its newly launched Alternative Development Programme aimed at curbing illicit drug cultivation through sustainable livelihood initiatives.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, following a courtesy visit by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), and his delegation to the Governor’s Office in Akure.
According to Adeniyan, Marwa revealed during the visit that about 15 million Nigerians aged between 15 and 64 currently use drugs, a figure he described as nearly three times the global average.
“The NDLEA Chairman, citing the 2018 United Nations drug use survey, disclosed that one in every seven Nigerians within the age bracket consumes drugs, describing the statistics as unacceptably high,” the statement read.
Prince Adeniyan said Marwa disclosed that drug use prevalence in Ondo State stands at 17 per cent, translating to approximately 400,000 users, compared to 33 per cent in Lagos State and 24 per cent in Oyo State.
Providing enforcement statistics, the NDLEA boss disclosed that in 2025 alone, the Ondo State Command of the agency made 336 arrests, seized 22,316 kilogrammes of illicit substances, and secured 62 convictions.
“He further revealed that a total of 207,000 kilogrammes of cannabis were seized and destroyed from farms and plantations across Ondo State within the period,” Adeniyan stated.
The NDLEA Chairman also disclosed that the agency’s counselling and rehabilitation centre in Ondo State treated 243 drug users in 2025, describing Ondo as the highest producer of cannabis in Nigeria, owing to its favourable climate and fertile soil.
According to the statement, Marwa informed the Governor that the NDLEA had commissioned the Nigerian Academy of Science to carry out a scientific study on cannabis extracted oil for medicinal purposes, stressing that any policy on controlled cultivation and export would be strictly evidence based.
Prince Adeniyan said Marwa also announced the establishment of an Alternative Development Unit at the NDLEA headquarters to complement enforcement efforts by engaging cannabis growing communities and encouraging them to switch to legal crops through community development, provision of farm inputs, infrastructure, healthcare facilities and access to markets.
“Ondo State was selected as the pilot state for the programme after over one year of engagement with cannabis producing communities,” the statement added.
The NDLEA Chairman commended the Ondo State Government for its support, including the establishment of a State Drug Control Committee, plans to replicate it at the local government level, and the provision of operational assistance to the agency.
Responding, Governor Aiyedatiwa pledged the full backing of his administration for the NDLEA and its Alternative Development Programme.
“The Governor commended Brigadier General Marwa for personally leading the initiative, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to tackling illicit drug cultivation, trafficking and abuse,” Adeniyan said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa also praised the NDLEA for complementing enforcement with sustainable livelihood options for farmers and thanked the agency for selecting Ondo State as the pilot location.
While acknowledging statistics that rank Ondo as the largest producer of cannabis in Nigeria, the Governor noted that the state is also a leading producer of legitimate agricultural commodities such as cocoa, due to its vast forests and fertile soil.
The Governor assured the NDLEA of continued government support, recalling past assistance through the provision of vehicles and logistics, and welcomed the proposal to establish an Alternative Development Unit in the state, suggesting it be domiciled under the Governor’s Office in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture.
Prince Adeniyan said the Governor highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the Youth on Ridges programme, under which over 5,000 hectares have been cleared for cocoa cultivation, and the state’s tomato revolution, which now supplies about 40 per cent of tomatoes consumed in Lagos markets.
The Governor further emphasized sustained community engagement involving traditional rulers, churches and mosques to promote behavioural change and ensure lasting results through education and enforcement.
“Governor Aiyedatiwa also expressed interest in the medicinal potential of cannabis oil and urged the NDLEA to expedite ongoing studies and share the findings with the state, advocating controlled cultivation strictly for medicinal purposes in line with global best practices,” the statement concluded.
Those present at the meeting included the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka; Commissioner for Information, Mr Idowu Ajanaku; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Adesoji Afolabi; Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Leye Akinola; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and Strategy, Mr Gani Mohamed.
