Nigeria’s drug abuse crisis deepens as experts warn of sharp rise by 2030
With drug use already far above the global average, experts say prevention, not enforcement alone, will determine whether Nigeria can avoid a worsening public health crisis.
Nigeria’s battle against drug abuse could become significantly more difficult over the next few years, with health experts and anti-drug officials warning that the country must strengthen prevention efforts now or risk facing an even larger substance abuse crisis by the end of the decade.
The warning comes as Nigeria continues to record one of the highest drug-use prevalence rates in Africa, placing the country at the centre of growing concerns over the social, economic and public health consequences of substance abuse.
Speaking during a media capacity-building programme organised by the Nigerian Online Media Alliance to commemorate the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, stakeholders said Africa could witness a 40 per cent increase in drug use by 2030 unless governments, healthcare providers, communities and the media work together to reduce demand for illicit substances.
The event, held at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, brought together mental health experts, government officials, anti-drug advocates and journalists to examine what many described as one of Nigeria’s most pressing public health challenges.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd.), said Nigeria’s drug-use prevalence remains significantly higher than the global average, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing the country.
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According to him, while global drug-use prevalence stands at 5.6 per cent, Nigeria’s rate is estimated at 14.4 per cent.
He warned that Africa could experience a 40 per cent rise in drug use by 2030, stressing that enforcement alone cannot reverse the trend.
“The demand reduction strategy remains the most sustainable solution, while the media has a critical role to play in promoting awareness, prevention and behavioural change,” Marwa said.
He disclosed that the NDLEA has recorded more than 77,000 arrests, secured over 14,000 convictions and seized more than 15 million kilogrammes of illicit substances in recent years as part of its nationwide enforcement operations.
While those figures reflect intensified enforcement, health professionals argued that prevention offers a more sustainable long-term solution.
Chief Medical Director of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr Olugbenga Owoeye, described substance abuse as one of Nigeria’s biggest public health emergencies, noting that the country cannot rely on treatment alone, especially with the shortage of mental health professionals.
According to him, greater investment in education, public awareness and early prevention would produce better outcomes than focusing solely on rehabilitation after addiction has developed.
Owoeye also revealed that more than 1,200 substance use prevention and treatment professionals have been trained across Nigeria through international partnerships aimed at strengthening the country’s response to addiction.
Experts also urged Nigerians to rethink how addiction is viewed.
President of the International Society of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals Nigeria, Dr Olajumoke Koyejo, said addiction should be recognised as a chronic and relapsing brain disorder rather than a moral failure or criminal behaviour.
She warned that stigma continues to discourage many people living with substance dependence from seeking treatment and expressed concern over the growing prevalence of behavioural addictions, particularly gambling, among young Nigerians.
Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, linked rising substance abuse among young people to social media influence, peer pressure and worsening economic conditions.
He said the state government is expanding its response through the Lagos State Kick Against Drug Abuse initiative, which combines school awareness campaigns, rehabilitation services and digital mental health support for young people.
Beyond its health implications, stakeholders warned that drug abuse is increasingly becoming an economic concern.
Director-General of the Association of Nigerian Exporters, Joseph Idiong, said drug trafficking threatens Nigeria’s international trade reputation by exposing legitimate exporters to greater scrutiny and delays at foreign ports.
He explained that the country’s association with illicit drug trafficking could undermine the competitiveness of genuine Nigerian exporters in international markets.
Chairperson of the Nigerian Online Media Alliance, Theresa Moses, said journalists also have a responsibility to support prevention efforts through responsible reporting.
According to her, drug abuse affects families, schools, communities and national development, making accurate and balanced reporting essential.
She cautioned media professionals against sensationalising addiction, noting that stigmatising narratives often discourage people from seeking the help they need.
