House Probes Rising Drug Abuse, Calls Crisis “A National Emergency”

The House of Representatives has commenced an investigation into the growing prevalence of drug abuse, warning that the crisis now poses a serious threat to public health, security and the country’s future.

Speaking at a public hearing organized by the adhoc Committee on Drugs, Trafficking, Alcohol and Tobacco Abuse,
Chairman of the committee, Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, said lawmakers were compelled to act as drug abuse, illicit trafficking and weak regulation continue to fuel addiction across the country.
.
“This is a national emergency that threatens the soul of Nigeria,” Adelegbe said. “Our mandate is to seek the truth, expose systemic failures and recommend strong corrective measures.”

He said cannabis is now openly smoked on the streets, methamphetamine use is spreading rapidly nationwide, and codeine-based cough syrups are sold with little restraint. Tramadol, he added, is trafficked with the same organisation as hard drugs.

According to the lawmaker, unregulated alcoholic mixtures are destroying young people in motor parks, campuses and markets, while tobacco companies exploit regulatory loopholes to target minors through flavoured products and informal sales channels.

He also cited weak enforcement at ports, airports and land borders, allowing substandard pharmaceuticals and illicit substances to flood Nigerian markets.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, described Nigeria’s drug use level as alarming and significantly above the global average.

In a memorandum submitted to the committee, UNODC said a 2018 national drug use survey found that 14.4% of Nigerians aged 15 to 64 use drugs. Cannabis was the most commonly used substance, with about 10.6 million users, followed by pharmaceutical opioids, including tramadol and codeine cough syrups.

UNODC National Project Officer for Law Enforcement, Dr. Femi Ajayi, said nearly three million Nigerians suffer from drug use disorders requiring counselling or medical treatment.

The agency warned that drug use in Africa could rise by 40% by 2030, potentially pushing Nigeria’s number of users beyond 20 million.

In his remarks, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) pledged its support for the probe, calling for stronger laws, improved regulation, and increased resources to combat drug abuse and trafficking.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji