BY AMAYINDI YAKUBU
In recent years, Nigeria has become entangled in a deepening crisis of drug abuse and trafficking, a scourge that threatens to unravel the very fabric of its society. The numbers paint a grim picture: by 2023, approximately 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 were caught in the grip of substance abuse, with one in four being women. The rise of synthetic cannabinoids, ominously nicknamed “Colorado,” has taken root among the youth, leaving a trail of health complications and tragic fatalities in its wake.
What’s particularly chilling is the spread of this menace to children too young to spell “addiction,” let alone understand its devastating consequences. A heart-wrenching example is the recent story of a 10-year-old boy from Sapele, a Niger Delta town, who narrowly escaped death after an encounter with “Colos,” a street drug that knows no age limit.
When toddlers fresh from nursery school are falling prey to addiction, what hope do we hold for the nation’s future? How do we expect to build a thriving society when the torchbearers of tomorrow are already chained by addiction and exploited by traffickers today?
And the real question is: who introduced a child to this life-destroying substance? Who taught him about “Colos,” where to find it, and how to take it? This isn’t just a systemic failure; it’s a societal betrayal, exposing the cracks in a nation’s moral and social fabric.
The youth of Nigeria are in the eye of a brewing storm, and the numbers paint a grim picture. In 2021, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) revealed that a staggering 40% of Nigerian youths aged 18 to 35 were entangled in drug abuse, exposing the fragility of this vital demographic.
As damning as this statistic is, it’s even more unsettling to consider the younger generation—the preteens and children—who slip through the cracks of official data. If the agencies already struggle to curb drug abuse among those old enough to make choices, what hope is there for those too young to even understand the consequences? The silence of these missing statistics screams volumes, reminding us that this crisis is not just a challenge for today but a harbinger of greater dangers lurking in the shadows.
Beyond the numbers, another personal stories that shed light on the human toll of this epidemic is that of Ilimezekhe Salvage, a 35-year-old former addict, battled substance abuse for 14 years. His descent began with cigarettes at age 14, escalating to marijuana and eventually crack cocaine during his university years. To fund his addiction, Salvage turned to drug dealing, leading a life marked by deceit and crime. After multiple attempts, he achieved sobriety and now dedicates his life to helping others overcome addiction through his foundation.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a anti-drug trafficking campaign in Abeokuta, Ogun State has also spoken on the catastrophic effects of drug abuse and addiction. He shared a personal anecdote about an early attempt to take up smoking, which led to severe coughing and deterred him from continuing. He emphasized that such substances offer no value to life but instead cause immense destruction.
The NDLEA has intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking. In 2024, the agency arrested approximately 18,500 suspected drug traffickers and seized 2.6 million kilograms of illicit drugs. These operations led to over 3,250 convictions, including those of 10 drug barons, and the destruction of more than 220 hectares of cannabis farms.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) projects that, based on current trends, Nigeria could have around 20 million drug users by 2030, posing a significant public health and security challenge.
Nigeria, often described as the “Giant of Africa,” is at a crossroads. While its youth constitute a significant proportion of its population and represent immense potential for leadership, economic growth, and national pride, the country is witnessing a worrying trend of substance abuse and illicit drug trade. Recent reports by the UNODC reveal that nearly 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15–64 used drugs in 2018, a figure three times the global average. Among them, cannabis, opioids, tramadol hydrochloride, and new synthetic substances dominate the market.
Beyond the shocking numbers lies the deeper tragedy, dreams cut short, families torn apart, and a nation robbed of its workforce and future leaders. This is not just a health crisis, it is a social and economic one, threatening the very fabric of the nation. As the fight against drug trafficking intensifies, the question remains: Can Nigeria break free from this vicious cycle, or will this menace continue to hinder its growth and development?
Drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria have deep roots in the nation’s history, dating back to the 1980s when the country became a transit hub for heroin and cocaine bound for Europe and North America. As globalization and technological advances made international trade easier, they also facilitated the illicit drug trade. Over time, Nigeria’s drug market shifted from primarily trafficking to a domestic crisis, with abuse reaching alarming levels among the population.
Several factors have fueled this epidemic. Socioeconomic challenges, such as widespread unemployment, poverty, and lack of access to quality education, have left many young Nigerians vulnerable. With limited opportunities, some turn to drugs as an escape from harsh realities or engage in trafficking for financial gain. Weak border controls and corruption within enforcement agencies have allowed traffickers to smuggle substances into and out of the country with relative ease. Additionally, cultural shifts, peer pressure, and the influence of pop culture have normalized drug use in certain circles, further exacerbating the problem.
To combat this menace, Nigeria enacted the NDLEA Act in 1989, establishing a specialized agency tasked with curbing drug trafficking and abuse. The NDLEA operates under strict mandates to arrest offenders, confiscate illegal substances, and destroy drug cultivation farms. Additionally, the Customs and Excise Management Act empowers authorities to confiscate illegal substances at border points. Other legislative measures, such as the Criminal Code Act, prescribe harsh penalties for drug-related crimes, including imprisonment and fines. Despite yielding some results, enforcing these laws remains inconsistent, undermining their effectiveness.
The current state of drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria is nothing short of alarming. According to the 2018 National Drug Use Survey conducted by the UNODC and the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, approximately 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15–64 reported using drugs in the previous year. Cannabis remains the most commonly abused substance, with 10.6 million users, followed by opioids such as tramadol, with 4.6 million users.
Urban centers like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are hotspots for drug abuse, while rural areas have not been spared. The rise of synthetic drugs, such as “Kush,” a dangerous mix of marijuana and chemical additives, and locally concocted substances like “Monkey Tail,” a mixture of gin and cannabis, reflects the growing sophistication of the drug market. These substances are easily accessible on the streets, often at a fraction of the price of legitimate medications.
On the trafficking front, Nigeria remains a critical player in the global drug trade. The country’s geographical location, extensive road networks, and seaports make it a transit point for cocaine from South America and heroin from Asia. In recent years, the NDLEA has recorded significant busts, including the seizure of 1.8 tons of cocaine worth over $278 million in Lagos in 2022. However, these victories only scratch the surface of a much larger problem.
The consequences of drug abuse and trafficking on Nigerian youth are devastating. Health complications, including addiction, mental health disorders, and the spread of diseases like HIV/AIDS through shared needles, are rampant. These issues place immense pressure on an already overstretched healthcare system.
Educationally, drug abuse has led to increased school dropouts and a decline in academic performance. Many young people, caught in the grip of addiction, abandon their studies, cutting short their chances of a better future. Unemployability among youths addicted to drugs further exacerbates Nigeria’s unemployment crisis, as many employers are reluctant to hire individuals with substance abuse histories.
Economically, the ripple effects are profound. The loss of productive workforce members reduces national productivity and hinders economic growth. Increased crime rates, ranging from petty thefts to organized drug-related crimes, strain law enforcement and judicial systems. Families are also deeply affected, with financial resources diverted to rehabilitation efforts and legal battles. On a broader scale, the nation’s image suffers internationally, deterring foreign investment and tourism. The social fabric of Nigerian society is weakening, as communities grapple with the dual crises of addiction and trafficking.
In 2001, Portugal decriminalized the possession of small amounts of drugs and shifted its focus to treating drug addiction as a public health issue rather than a criminal offense. The government invested heavily in rehabilitation programs, public education campaigns, and harm reduction strategies. This approach led to significant declines in drug-related deaths and HIV infections.
Iceland tackled youth substance abuse by implementing the “Youth in Iceland” program, which emphasized after-school activities, parental involvement, and community engagement. By providing alternatives to drug use and strengthening familial bonds, the country dramatically reduced teenage drug abuse rates.
Known for its zero-tolerance policy, Singapore combines stringent penalties for drug trafficking with robust preventive measures, such as public awareness campaigns and school-based education programs. The city-state’s strict laws act as a deterrent, while its rehabilitation centers focus on reintegration into society. While these approaches vary, the common thread is the integration of education, enforcement, and rehabilitation. Nigeria can adapt elements of these strategies to its unique socio-economic and cultural context.
The case of former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, serves as a sobering reminder of how deep the rot of drug trafficking has penetrated Nigeria’s institutions. Once celebrated as a crime-fighting hero, Kyari’s fall from grace began with his indictment in a U.S. fraud case involving the infamous internet scammer Ramon Abbas, also known as “Hushpuppi.” However, it was his involvement in a drug cartel that led to his arrest and conviction.
In 2022, the NDLEA accused Kyari of collaborating with a transnational drug syndicate to smuggle cocaine into Nigeria. Investigations revealed that he had been working with drug traffickers to facilitate the movement of narcotics and even demanded bribes to protect their operations. His subsequent conviction sent shockwaves through the nation, exposing how individuals entrusted with safeguarding society can become enablers of the drug trade.
The Kyari saga highlights the need for stringent internal oversight mechanisms within law enforcement agencies. It also raises questions about how many high-profile individuals might be secretly involved in or benefiting from the drug trade. Such revelations damage the credibility of institutions and underscore the urgency for reform.
One of the most troubling aspects of Nigeria’s drug trafficking problem is the suspicion that unknown high-profile individuals sponsor and facilitate these operations. These shadowy figures wield significant influence, making it difficult for authorities to dismantle their networks. Some are believed to leverage their wealth and political connections to shield traffickers from prosecution, sabotaging the efforts of agencies like the NDLEA.
For instance, while low-level traffickers and users are frequently arrested and paraded before the media, the masterminds behind large-scale drug operations often remain untouched. This imbalance in accountability creates a culture of impunity, allowing the drug trade to thrive unchecked.
The NDLEA and other agencies must adopt a top-down approach, targeting the financiers and key players in drug syndicates rather than focusing solely on street-level operators. Greater transparency, whistleblower protections, and inter-agency collaboration are essential to identifying and prosecuting these high-profile sponsors.
While Nigeria has made significant efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse, much remains to be done. Key areas for improvement include enhanced funding and resources. Agencies like the NDLEA need better funding to equip personnel, upgrade facilities, and invest in advanced technology for tracking and intercepting drug shipments.
Judicial reforms are necessary. Swift and transparent trials for drug-related offences are necessary to deter potential traffickers and users. Special courts for drug cases could help reduce delays and improve conviction rates. Also, regular public reports on the progress of drug-related investigations and convictions will build trust in the system and dissuade potential sponsors.
Collaborations with agencies like the UNODC and INTERPOL can enhance intelligence sharing and operational capacity. Partnering with neighbouring countries and international agencies to enhance border control and dismantle trafficking networks. Importantly, nationwide education programs targeting schools, religious institutions, and community centres can help change societal attitudes toward drug abuse.
Drug trafficking and abuse have become formidable challenges for Nigeria, threatening the health, education, and economic prospects of its youth and the nation. However, with decisive action, collaborative efforts, and a commitment to adopting best practices, Nigeria can turn the tide. It is not just the responsibility of the government but a collective duty for all Nigerians to rise against this menace.
