By Mary Agidi
 
Nowadays, hardly does a week pass without reports of Nigerians being arrested for possessing illicit drugs and substances by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). In spite of the war declared against drug abuse by the Federal Government through campaigns and awareness initiatives, the illegal drug trade continues to boom and expand across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

 
Substances Recognised as Illicit in Nigeria
 
According to a report titled “Addressing the Menace of Substance Abuse Through Urgent Policy Approach,” by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, approximately 14.3 million Nigerians — or 14.4% of the population aged 15 to 64 — are involved in drug abuse, significantly exceeding the global average of 5.5%. This data was recorded as of January 2025.
 
Psychoactive substances such as heroin, skunk, opioids, cannabis sativa, methamphetamine (locally called ice or mkpuru mmiri), psychotropics, skuchies, monkey tail, Colorado, Loud, and tramadol have become household names in Nigeria’s hard drug market.
 
Cannabis — also known as marijuana, weed, igbo, or Indian hemp — is said to be the most widely used illegal substance in Nigeria, with an estimated 10.6 million users. It is followed by opioids, with an estimated 4.6 million people using them for non-medical purposes annually.

 
Many Arrests
 
Recently, in Ondo State, the NDLEA arrested several drug consignee suspects and seized 10,143.053 kilograms of cannabis sativa, 1.702 kilograms of methamphetamine, 2.193 kilograms of psychotropic substances, 363.8 kilograms of skuchies, and 10.137 kilograms of monkey tail — a locally brewed alcoholic mixture laced with drugs. In addition, the command reported the destruction of 74.786 hectares of cannabis farms across the state.
 
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, also issued a press statement announcing new arrests between late October and early November 2025, involving large quantities of illicit substances imported into the country and distributed across several states.

 
Can This War Be Won?
 
The War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), a campaign spearheaded by the NDLEA, was launched in June 2021 to curb the alarming rate of drug use and trafficking, especially among youths. It aims to suppress both the supply and demand for illicit drugs through enforcement, education, and community action. However, one would have expected a significant reduction in drug proliferation by now — but has that happened?
 
In October 2025, the NDLEA announced the arrest of over 100 young men found with cartons of banned substances such as Loud and laughing gas during a midnight raid at Proxy Night Club in Victoria Island, Lagos. Those at the alleged drug party included celebrities and socialites, including ex-BBNaija star Tuoyo Ideh.
 
The more intense the WADA campaign becomes, the more new tactics and strategies emerge among drug users and traffickers.

This was evident in an increase in seizures of drug consignments concealed in unsuspecting packages for import or export. Still in October, the NDLEA arrested a cargo agent, Lawal Olakunle, who presented 70 parcels of cocaine concealed in cocoa butter body cream containers bound for London on an Air Peace flight.

During the same period, an attempt by a Lesotho national, Lemena Mark, to smuggle 103 grams of methamphetamine out of Nigeria was foiled. He allegedly concealed it in a Diabeta Herb Coffee Tea pack. These cases reflect the evolving methods used by drug dealers and traffickers to sustain the trade.

One now wonders what motivates this proliferation of illicit substances, raising the question: Is this a war that can be won anytime soon?
It also sparks curiosity about the calibre and social status of the individuals who serve as drug barons and dealers — the unseen forces behind the thriving drug market in Nigeria, driven not only by psychoactive demand but also by enormous economic incentives.
 

Public Opinion

An opinion sampling conducted among Nigerians reveals how deeply illicit substances have penetrated the nation’s social environment. As gathered by The Hope, among respondents across Ondo, Ogun, Kogi, Lagos, Ekiti, and Abuja: 57% rated drug use in their areas as high, 28% described it as moderate, and 14.3% said it is very high.

On the reasons for involvement in drug use or trafficking: 43% attributed it to peer influence, 28.6% to emotional stress, while 14.3% blamed unemployment.

Respondents identified those behind the booming drug trade as: Some members of drug agencies, private merchants, established drug warlords, desperate unemployed youths, and influential cabals.

 
Future Consequences

The rate at which young Nigerians — including adolescents — use illicit substances is alarming. Both genders between 15-64 years old are heavily involved, and girls now join in drug consumption at clubhouses as it was reported that one in every four drug users is a girl.

One evening in August 2025, at a clubhouse around Model Secondary School in Akure, during a lady’s birthday party, adolescent girls were seen openly consuming psychoactive substances. Despite the presence of adults, they freely engaged in taking shisha and skuchies.

The effect of this on the public healthcare system is overwhelming. There is a rising rate of mental illness among young Nigerians due to illicit drug use, leading to increased healthcare costs for treating substance abuse-related conditions.

From The Hope survey, while 57.1% believe illegal drug proliferation affects Nigeria’s public healthcare system, 71.4% say it is a major cause of rising mental illnesses, and 28.6% attributed it to cause increased healthcare expenditure.

The identified effects of illicit substances on society include: Increased crime rate, Mental health issues, Poor academic performance, Domestic violence, Health complications, and Death.

 
Recommendations

To achieve meaningful success in this war, families must complement government efforts. Stakeholders recommend that families should: Report suspicious drug-related activities to enforcement agencies; Monitor their children closely and discourage drug-related lifestyles; Show love, care, and provide counselling to prevent emotional distress that may lead to drug use by oay attention to family members, friends, and associates without being judgmental.

While 71.4% of respondents expressed satisfaction with government interventions so far, they also called for more employment and empowerment opportunities for youths.
They further emphasized the need for continuous public enlightenment, awareness campaigns, and stiff penalties for traffickers.

 
Experts’ Contributions
 
Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Practitioner, Mr. David Folaranmi, described illicit substance use as one of Nigeria’s major challenges, with the South-West having the highest prevalence — 22.4%, representing about 4.38 million users.
 
To curb this alarming trend, he recommended:Strengthening public education and awareness campaigns; Increasing NDLEA and NAFDAC’s outreach and impact; Integrating drug prevention programmes into school curricula; and Focusing on mental health awareness, life skills, and peer mentorship for teenagers.

Sharing her encounters with young adults,  the Executive Director of Kids & Teens Resource Centre, Mrs. Folasade Bamigboye, explained that most victims of drug use come from dysfunctional homes and are influenced by peer pressure.

She noted that teenagers now have modernised methods of consuming drugs, making detection difficult until behavioural changes appear.
According to her, they may mix substances with soft drinks or juice, bake them with flour, or blend them with food, and therefore, called for close monitoring of teenagers.

First published in The Hope edition of Monday 24th, November 2025.