By Deborah Nnamdi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has expressed readiness to engage in dialogue over the possible legalisation of cannabis oil in Nigeria, citing the need for evidence-based discussions on its medical and economic potential.
Chairman of the NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ workshop themed “Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria,” organised by the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS).
The workshop examined scientific evidence on the therapeutic benefits of cannabis oil, international best practices for its regulation, and Nigeria’s existing legal and policy framework.
Marwa said the NDLEA, while maintaining its stance against drug abuse, was open to scientific dialogue that could help the country make informed policy choices.
“For us at the NDLEA, our position on cannabis oil is simple: we welcome dialogue,” he said. “Nigeria must make informed choices, not decisions driven by half-truths, commercial interests, or global trends.”
He noted that although the agency had seized nearly ten million kilograms of cannabis in the past four and a half years, it recognised the potential for scientific research to explore the plant’s positive uses.
Marwa, however, cautioned that any move toward legalisation must prioritise public health and safety, ensuring it does not weaken the fight against drug abuse.
President of NAS, Prof. Abubakar Sambo—represented by the academy’s Vice President, Prof. Friday Okonofua—said Nigeria needed to take a balanced and proactive approach to the cannabis debate.
He acknowledged that while cannabis could contribute to social and economic development, its negative health and social impacts must not be ignored.
Also speaking, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by Dr. Samuel Adekola, said global perspectives on cannabis were shifting, with several countries adopting controlled legalisation frameworks.
“Our call for cannabis legalisation is not a free-for-all call,” Aiyedatiwa said. “We must prioritise public health, ensure strict regulation, and create opportunities for legitimate investment while preventing abuse.”
He stressed the need for effective licensing, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms, adding that science should guide Nigeria’s next steps on the issue.
Chairman of the NAS Consensus Study Committee on Cannabis Oil and Use in Nigeria, Prof. Musbau Akanji, emphasised that any policy consideration must be guided by scientific evidence.
He said the committee had been constituted to collate expert opinions and provide factual recommendations to assist policymakers.
Akanji commended the NDLEA for its openness to scientific input, saying that a data-driven approach was essential for determining the future of cannabis oil regulation in Nigeria.
