When the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), revealed that about 10.6 million Nigerians currently use cannabis, it was more than a statistic — it was a national alarm bell. For decades, Nigeria was regarded as a transit point for narcotics en route to Europe and Asia. Today, that narrative has changed — and not for the better. The country has become a major consumption hub, not just for cannabis, but for cocaine, methamphetamine, tramadol, and a host of other dangerous substances that have found their ways into our cities, schools, and even rural communities.
Truth be told, the figure of 10.6 million may only scratch the surface. Anyone who walks the streets of Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, Abuja or even smaller towns knows that cannabis use has become alarmingly widespread. It is sold openly, smoked openly, and, sadly, becoming socially- tolerated. The true scale of this crisis may well exceed every official estimate.
Behind this surge lies a troubling reality — our maritime and border control systems are struggling to keep pace with the sophistication of international drug networks. Nigeria’s seaports, which handle over 80 percent of imports, remain vulnerable due to limited scanning capacity, porous security layers, and poor cargo profiling systems. The few available scanners often operate below capacity or are outdated, forcing reliance on manual examination — an approach ill-suited for intercepting the hidden import of narcotics.
To its credit, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded notable successes in recent years, intercepting several large shipments of drugs and collaborating with the NDLEA and other international partners in intelligence-led operations. These achievements deserve commendation. However, the sheer scale of the drug flow into the country shows that there is still much to be done. Customs, as the first line of defense at the ports, must deepen intelligence gathering, strengthen inter-agency data sharing, and push for the full deployment of world-class non-intrusive inspection scanners at all entry points.
Drug enforcement is no longer a routine duty — it is now a critical national security function. Every unchecked container, every porous border, and every outdated scanner represents a risk to public safety. Nigeria’s ports must no longer be treated only as trade gateways but as strategic security assets that require round-the-clock surveillance and modern equipment. The NDLEA, Customs, Navy, and other border agencies must work as a single, integrated force if the nation is to reverse this growing tide.
The recent interception of N29.4bn worth of cocaine at the Ports and Terminal Multiservice Limited by the Nigeria Customs Service is a pointer to the danger that the nation currently faces.
Apart from being a drug consuming nation, the latest seizures also confirmed that Nigeria has become a big transit nation.
Addressing journalists at the command, while handing over the drugs to the NDLEA, the Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Joe Anani, said that the contraband was discovered in an empty container that came from Sierra Leone.
Beyond enforcement, Nigeria must also confront the social drivers of drug use — unemployment, poverty, despair, and moral decay. The rising consumption among the youth points to a generation losing hope, turning to drugs as escape. The cost to productivity, health, and security is already immense.
Maritime security must therefore be redefined. It should no longer end at the protection of vessels and cargo, but must extend to protecting the nation from the deadly cargoes that threaten her future. Drugs that enter through the ports today fuel crime, banditry, and addiction. The NDLEA’s warning is not just a policy concern; it is a wake-up call for every institution linked to border and port management.
The battle against drug trafficking and consumption cannot be fought in isolation. It demands technology, vigilance, and national coordination. Nigeria can no longer afford to be both the gateway and the market for drugs. The time to act — decisively and collectively is now.
