Marwa: Drug use in Africa to rise by 40%, Nigeria already among worst hit

Buba Marwa, chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has warned that drug use in Africa is projected to rise by 40 percent.

Marwa spoke on Saturday during a seminar in Ijebu Ode, Ogun state.

The event was themed “Dangers of drug abuse, cultism and banditry among youths”, organised by the Ijebu Ode Council of Olorituns.

Marwa stressed that substance abuse, cultism and banditry are interconnected threats that must be tackled collectively.

He said that Nigeria is already among the countries with the highest prevalence and will face severe consequences if urgent action is not taken.

“It is projected that the number of people using drugs will increase by 40% in Africa. When they say Africa, I want us to think of Nigeria, because Nigeria has one of the highest drug use prevalences in the world,” he said.

While noting the grim outlook of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the NDLEA chairman said that “all hope is not lost.”

He said, “As a nation and communities, we still possess the power to reverse this trend. The first step is collective responsibility. Parents, religious institutions, traditional rulers, educational authorities and community leaders must rise with one voice against these vices.”

Marwa linked the spread of cultism and violence among Nigerian youths to drug abuse, warning that cult groups have moved from tertiary institutions into secondary schools and neighbourhoods, preying on vulnerable youths.

“Tragically, the hands of many of our youth have been stained with the blood of their peers, all for false promises of belonging and power,” he said.

Highlighting NDLEA’s enforcement efforts, Marwa disclosed that in the past 54 months, the agency had arrested 67,345 traffickers, including 95 barons, seized over 11.2 million kilograms of illicit drugs, and destroyed 1,572 hectares of cannabis farms. Rehabilitation programmes have also reached over 27,000 drug users.

He urged communities to partner with NDLEA by reporting suspicious activities, strengthening moral values, and creating opportunities in education, entrepreneurship, and sports to keep young people engaged.

“The path to greatness is not paved with shortcuts of violence and drugs, but with hard work, vision and purpose,” he said.

Marwa also paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona, during his trip.