Drugs (psychoactive) in Nigeria

The use of psychoactive substances in Nigeria dates back centuries, with indigenous communities traditionally consuming local stimulants such as kola nuts and herbal preparations for medicinal, religious, and social purposes. However, the introduction of synthetic and highly potent drugs has significantly changed the drug landscape. The widespread use of substances such as cannabis, tramadol, codeine, and methamphetamine has become a pressing issue, especially among youth and vulnerable populations.{{Cite journal |last1=Akande |first1=Roseline Oluyemisi |last2=Akande |first2=Joel Olufunminiyi |last3=Babatunde |first3=Olaniyan Akintunde |last4=Ajayi |first4=Adeola Olajumoke |last5=Ajayi |first5=Akindele Amos |last6=Ige |first6=Roseline Olabisi |last7=Saliu |first7=Ajedotun Shittu |last8=Akande |first8=Abayomi |last9=Olatunji |first9=Muideen Babatunde |date=2023-02-06 |title=Psychoactive substance abuse among commercial bus drivers in Umuahia, Abia State, South-Eastern Nigeria: an uncontrolled "epidemic" with attendant road traffic crashes |journal=BMC Public Health |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=250 |doi=10.1186/s12889-023-15039-6 |doi-access=free |issn=1471-2458 |pmc=9901138 |pmid=36747140}}https://jliflc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Abdulmalik-et-al.-2009-Psychoactive-substance-use-among-children-in-infor.pdf{{Cite journal |last=Stephen |first=Olubayo O. |title=A HISTORY OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND REHABILITATION AMONGST NIGERIAN UNDERGRADUATES |url=https://www.academia.edu/41006513}}

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• Cannabis : known locally as "Igbo,"{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2024-01-31 |title=CANNABIS SATIVA L.: A REVIEW OF THE MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF THIS 'WONDER PLANT' AND AN UPDATE ON THE NIGERIA SITUATION {{!}} INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES AND RESEARCH |url=https://ijpsr.com/bft-article/cannabis-sativa-l-a-review-of-the-medicinal-properties-of-this-wonder-plant-and-an-update-on-the-nigeria-situation/#:~:text=Cannabis%20sativa%20L.%20is%20an,different%20parts%20of%20the%20world. |access-date=2025-04-04 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Nation |first=The |date=2019-05-14 |title=Ondo: Igbo to the rescue! |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/ondo-igbo-to-the-rescue/ |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=The Nation Newspaper |language=en-US}} is one of the most widely used illicit drugs in Nigeria. The plant is grown in different parts of the country, particularly in the southwestern and southeastern regions. Despite being illegal, its consumption remains widespread, especially among young people and commercial drivers.https://www.unodc.org/documents/crop-monitoring/Nigeria/Nigeria_Cannabis_Survey_2022.pdf{{Cite journal |last1=Fasakin |first1=Olamide Wilson |last2=Oboh |first2=Ganiyu |last3=Ademosun |first3=Ayokunle Olubode |date=2022-10-01 |title=The prevalence, mechanism of action, and toxicity of Nigerian psychoactive plants |journal=Comparative Clinical Pathology |language=en |volume=31 |issue=5 |pages=853–873 |doi=10.1007/s00580-022-03374-w |issn=1618-565X |pmc=9243860 |pmid=35789743}}

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• Tramadol: a synthetic opioid analgesic, is widely abused in Nigeria, particularly by youths and laborers seeking to enhance their physical endurance. It is often misused in higher-than-prescribed doses, leading to addiction and severe health complications.
• Codeine and Cough Syrups: commonly found in cough syrups, has been abused for its sedative and euphoric effects. Following reports of widespread addiction and health risks, the Nigerian government banned the production and importation of codeine based cough syrups in 2018.
• Methamphetamine: locally referred to as "mkpuru-mmiri," https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajdas/article/view/225004/212273{{Cite web |date=2022-08-02 |title='Mkpuru Mmiri': NDLEA burst Crystal Meth labs for Lagos VGC, Anambra |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/cere0lmmgego |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=BBC News Pidgin}}{{Cite journal |last1=Obande-Ogbuinya |first1=Nkiru Edith |last2=Aleke |first2=Christian Okechukwu |last3=Omaka-Amari |first3=Lois Nnenna |last4=Ifeoma |first4=Uba Mercy Benedette |last5=Anyigor-Ogah |first5=Stanley Chijioke |last6=Mong |first6=Emeka Usman |last7=Afoke |first7=Eunice Nwafor |last8=Nnaji |first8=Theresa Nwamaka |last9=Nwankwo |first9=Onyechi |last10=Okeke |first10=Ifeyinwa Maureen |last11=Nnubia |first11=Anthonia Ogechukwu |last12=Ibe |first12=Uzochukwu Chimdindu |last13=Ochiaka |first13=Raphael E. |last14=Ngwakwe |first14=Patricia C. |last15=Item |first15=OkochaYusuf |date=2024-09-07 |title=Prevalence of Methamphetamine (Mkpurummiri) use in south east Nigeria: a community-based cross-sectional study |journal=BMC Public Health |volume=24 |issue=1 |pages=2436 |doi=10.1186/s12889-024-19921-9 |doi-access=free |issn=1471-2458 |pmc=11380340 |pmid=39244542}} has seen a rise in abuse, especially in southeastern Nigeria. The highly addictive stimulant has severe effects on mental and physical health, contributing to crime and social instability.
• Alcohol: This remains the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in Nigeria. While legal, excessive consumption contributes to numerous social problems, including domestic violence, road accidents, and health issues such as liver disease.https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajdas/article/view/225001/212270{{Cite journal |last1=Ajayi |first1=Anthony Idowu |last2=Owolabi |first2=Eyitayo Omolara |last3=Olajire |first3=Oluyinka Olutola |date=2019-06-13 |title=Alcohol use among Nigerian university students: prevalence, correlates and frequency of use |journal=BMC Public Health |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=752 |doi=10.1186/s12889-019-7104-7 |doi-access=free |issn=1471-2458 |pmc=6567597 |pmid=31196039}}
• Other Substances: Other psychoactive substances found in Nigeria include cocaine, heroin, LSD, Rohypnol, and inhalants like petrol and glue,{{Cite journal |last1=Dumbili |first1=Emeka W. |last2=Ebuenyi |first2=Ikenna D. |last3=Ugoeze |first3=Kenneth C. |date=2021-01-01 |title=New psychoactive substances in Nigeria: A call for more research in Africa |journal=Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health |volume=1 |pages=100008 |doi=10.1016/j.etdah.2021.100008 |issn=2667-1182|doi-access=free }}https://www.unodc.org/conig/uploads/documents/Fact_sheet_01_b_Some_types_of_drugs_used_in_Nigeria.pdf{{Cite news |title=5 tins to do if you no wan be drug addict again |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-43969575 |access-date=2025-04-04 |work=BBC News Pidgin}} which are commonly abused by street children and marginalized populations.

The abuse of psychoactive drugs in Nigeria has led to several socio-economic and health challenges. These include:

• Public Health Issues: Increased cases of drug-induced psychosis, organ damage, and infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS due to shared needles.
• Crime and Violence: Drug abuse has been linked to a rise in violent crimes, cultism, and armed robbery.
• Economic Burden: The cost of rehabilitation and law enforcement places a strain on the economy and public resources.https://ojs.unm.ac.id/elektikakontemporer/article/download/31813/16489
• Educational Disruptions: Many young people drop out of school due to drug addiction, leading to a decline in human capital development.{{Cite journal |last1=Wada |first1=Yusuf Hassan |last2=Khalid |first2=Garba M. |last3=Shitu |first3=Zayyanu |last4=Ibrahim |first4=Umar Idris |date=October 2021 |title=Prevalence and Impacts of Psychoactive Substance Abuse amongst Undergraduate University Students in Katsina State, Nigeria |journal=Addiction & Health |volume=13 |issue=4 |pages=221–231 |doi=10.22122/ahj.v13i4.1197 |issn=2008-4633 |pmc=8818309 |pmid=35178194}}

The Nigerian government, through the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), is responsible for enforcing drug laws and combating drug trafficking.https://lawsofnigeria.placng.org/laws/NATIONAL%20DRUG%20LAW%20ENFORCEMENT%20AGENCY%20ACT.pdf Some key measures include:

• Banning of Codeine Cough Syrups (2018): A response to the rising cases of addiction.{{Cite news |date=2018-05-01 |title=Nigeria bans cough syrup with codeine after addiction outcry |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-43961738 |access-date=2025-04-04 |language=en-GB}}
• Drug Rehabilitation and Awareness Campaigns: Various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government agencies conduct educational programs on drug abuse prevention.https://www.unodc.org/pdf/report_1999-06-30_1.pdf
• Strengthening Border Control: Efforts to curb drug smuggling through Nigeria's porous borders.{{Cite web |title=Securing Nigeria's Borders Against Drug and Human Trafficking: A Multifaceted Approach – World Border Security Congress |url=https://world-border-congress.com/2024/08/19/securing-nigerias-borders-against-drug-and-human-trafficking-a-multifaceted-approach/ |access-date=2025-04-04 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Our |date=2025-02-19 |title=Tackling trans-border drug trafficking |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/tackling-trans-border-drug-trafficking/ |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=The Nation Newspaper |language=en-US}}
• Legislation and Law Enforcement: The Dangerous Drugs Act and the NDLEA Act provide legal frameworks for tackling drug-related offenses.https://journals.ezenwaohaetorc.org/index.php/JORLAWICJ/article/download/2881/3021

• National Drug Law Enforcement Agency{{cite web | url=https://ngfrepository.org.ng:8443/jspui/handle/123456789/3175 | title=National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act | date=2004 | last1=Nigeria | first1=Federal Government of }}
• Mental health in Nigeria
• Cannabis in Nigeria

Category:Drug policy by country

Category:Psychoactive drugs

Category:Health in Nigeria

Category:Law enforcement in Nigeria

Category:Crime in Nigeria

Category:Youth in Nigeria

Category:Drug culture