14.3m Nigerians Use Psychoactive Substances – UNODC Survey

The 2018 National Drug Use Survey conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed an alarming reality: 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15–64 use psychoactive substances.

Chairman and chief executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brigadier General Muhammed Buba Marwa (Rtd) disclosed this while delivering a keynote address yesterday, at the flag-off of the North-West geo-political zone campaign against the use of illicit drugs and domestic violence in Kaduna.

The sensitization campaign against drug use and domestic violence in the North West zone was organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and facilitated by the speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and aimed at reorienting the people of the North-West geopolitical zone against the scourge of drug abuse.

The NDLEA boss said, the sensitization campaign with the theme : “Stop drug abuse and domestic violence in our communities” is a testament to the  commitment of building a society free from the devastating consequences of substance abuse.

In his presentation, he said a closer look at the North-West geopolitical zone, comprising Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states, presents an even more concerning picture, stressing that with an estimated 25 million people in 2016, the zone remains the most populous in Nigeria and that the survey estimated that 12% of the region’s population—approximately three million people—are drug users.

“The most commonly abused substances include cannabis, followed by the non-medical use of opioids such as tramadol, codeine, and morphine, as well as cough syrups containing codeine or dextromethorphan.

“A state-by-state breakdown of drug use prevalence in the North-West shows that Kano has the highest rate at 16.0%, with approximately 1,070,000 drug users, followed by Zamfara at 13.5% (312,000 users), Kebbi at 12.6% (286,000 users), Katsina at 12.0% (481,000 users), Kaduna at 10.0% (462,000 users), Sokoto at 9.0% (230,000 users), and Jigawa at 7.0% (211,000 users). These figures are deeply troubling and underscore the urgent need for collective action to combat drug abuse and its devastating consequences,” he stated.

General Marwa further said, the North-West, like other regions of Nigeria, has seen a surge in drug-related crimes, addiction, and social decay, adding that drug abuse is not merely a law enforcement issue—it is a public health crisis, a social problem, and an economic burden that its effects ripple through families, schools, workplaces, and communities, leading to health crises, lost productivity, financial strain on families and the healthcare system, and increased security threats.

He also averred that there is a strong link between drug abuse and criminal activities such as banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and murder. However, beyond the crime statistics, “we must recognise the human cost of this epidemic—addiction, broken homes, lost opportunities, mental health crises, preventable deaths, and an overburdened healthcare and justice system.” .

“This crisis demands a multi-sectoral response involving law enforcement agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, educators, the media, and the entire community. We recognise the resilience and cultural values of the people of this region and call upon community leaders, parents, and young people to play an active role in preventing drug abuse and trafficking.

“This campaign, aimed at tackling drug abuse in the North-West, is part of a broader national strategy to rid Nigeria of the scourge of illicit drugs. In line with the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) 2021–2025, which outlines our national framework on drug control, we are implementing a balanced approach that includes prevention, treatment, care, and enforcement.

“The NDLEA has intensified efforts to apprehend drug traffickers and dismantle drug cartels. Our landmark operations, such as the seizure of large consignments of drugs and the arrest of kingpins, have sent a strong message that we will not relent in our fight against this menace. In the past four years, we have arrested over 57,792 drug traffickers including 65 drug barons and 10,572 convicted. Our seizure was in excess of 9.9 million kilograms,” he said.