Marwa: NDLEA Open to Controlled Exportation of Cannabis Oil

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said the agency is not averse to the controlled and regulated export of cannabis oil to countries who desire it but remains opposed to its local consumption.

Speaking at a stakeholders workshop themed “Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria”, organized by the Nigerian Academy of Science in Abuja on Wednesday, Marwa said the dialogue on cannabis oil is a welcome development.

He said: “At NDLEA, our position on cannabis oil is simple: we welcome dialogue. We believe Nigeria must make informed choices, not choices driven by half-truths, commercial interests, or global trends. Cannabis oil may have medicinal properties worth investigating, but it also carries health risks, potential for misuse, and implications for public safety. This is why it is crucial that scientists, medical experts, policymakers, and regulators are in the same room to bring facts to the table, scrutinise evidence, and weigh options carefully.

“Let me assure you that NDLEA is not opposed to science, nor are we indifferent to innovation. What we insist on is caution. Policy must protect lives, safeguard public health, and strengthen—not weaken—our fight against drug abuse. As such, the agency will not be averse to the idea of controlled export of cannabis oil to foreign companies and countries who desire it, as part of our drive as a country to enhance foreign earnings. After all, some countries have approved the use of cannabis oil for therapeutic purposes while others including Nigeria have not.

“Our concern however is about its consumption in Nigeria. In essence, we are not opposed to the idea of exporting the oil to those who desire it but such must be strictly controlled, licensed and monitored by NDLEA with such process located only within export free zones.”

Explaining further the position of the agency, the NDLEA boss said the conversation is necessary because “we are talking about Cannabis, which is not just another plant. It is a substance with complex medical, social, and economic dimensions. For decades, the debate has been one-sided. Advocates often highlight the supposed benefits of cannabis oil, while its risks and consequences are glossed over. This, no doubt informs the decision by us at the NDLEA to commission an ongoing study on cannabis oil by this respected apex body of scientists, the Nigerian Academy of Science.”

He added that: “In a country like Nigeria, which is already contending with a high burden of drug abuse, it is imperative that we approach this matter with sobriety, clarity, and balance. Till today, much of the public debate highlights the potential therapeutic uses of cannabis oil and the commercial value of its export. What about the risks? Evidence shows that cannabis, including its oil extracts, can have adverse effects on mental health, especially among young people. The prolonged or uncontrolled use of cannabis and its extracts is linked to anxiety, depression, psychosis, and cognitive impairment. In addition, dependence and addiction are real concerns as well. In reality, these side effects create additional social and economic costs for families, communities and society at large.

“Another fundamental issue that we must take cognisance of is that the lack of standardised production and regulation in many countries means products sold as “cannabis oil” often vary in potency, contain contaminants, or are misused outside of medical supervision. Already, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of misuse of cannabis worldwide. For a country already grappling with 14.4 percent substance abuse prevalence rate as against the global average of 5.6 percent and a staggering figure of 10.6 million cannabis users based on the last drug use survey report of 2018, the risks associated with cannabis cannot be dismissed. Rather, the reality should remind us that while cannabis oil may have medical potential, its dangers are real and must be addressed with strong safeguards before any policy shift is considered”

He said as part of efforts to mitigate the consequences of illicit drug cultivation and production is the decision by the agency, as the first in Africa, to introduce alternative development project in 2023.

According to him, “The Alternative Development Project demands ethical responsibility and commitment to develop transformative policies and humanitarian responses to mitigate drug-related problems and end the complexities and violence of the war on drugs in Nigeria and globally. In Nigeria, the Alternative Development Project will focus on reducing the vulnerabilities of ignorance, poverty, hunger, unemployment and underdevelopment that push people into illicit economies, particularly illicit drug cultivation. Aside from its link to transnational organised crime, illicit drug cultivation fuels national organised crime that causes agricultural states to abandon food crop cultivation for cannabis plantations in some communities across Nigeria. We intend to reduce these vulnerabilities both in urban centres and rural areas through the provision of functional mechanisms and facilities for sensitisation, skills acquisition, empowerment and positive engagements for sustainable livelihoods.”

In his welcome remark, President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof Abubakar Sambo who was represented by the Vice President of NAS, Prof Friday Okonofua noted that several research studies have considered various uses of cannabis and its side effects. He said the workshop was aimed at reaching a consensus on the contentious issue of the use of cannabis oil.

“At the end of the day, we’ll have evidence-based consensus work, which will be properly documented that will lead us to decide what we should be doing regarding the use of cannabis in this country”, he stated.

Chairman of NAS study committee on cannabis oil use, Prof Musbau Akanbi commended NDLEA for being proactive and working with the Academy to obtain science driven guide for Nigeria. “As we all know, cannabis oil is extracted from cannabis and the legalisation of the use of the oil would translate to large-scale cultivation of the weed itself. The Nigerian Academy of Science consequently constitutes the consensus study committee on cannabis oil debate, comprising experts in all fields that had to do with the study request. The committee collected a lot of literature on the subject matter from all over the world, reviewed what is happening in other lands, and decided to arrange this workshop where experts from various related fields will come together with stakeholders and present evidence that will be collated to assist NDLEA in carrying out its honest responsibility.”

Also speaking at the workshop, Dr. Samuel Adekola who represented Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state noted that “this all-important workshop will offer our great country, Nigeria, the opportunity to move from debate to design, from potential to policies and I urge all participants to contribute constructively so that together we can rise to craft a model that not only benefit the consumers of health, also the sunshine state and Nigeria, but also position our nation as a leader on the African continent in this emerging field. Let us proceed with vision, with courage, and with unity of purpose”

In his keynote address, the Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neurosciences, and Substance Abuse, University of Ibadan, Prof. Oye Gureje, stated that cumulative evidence suggests that “cannabis has some limited medical use”, and “widespread recreational use is likely to lead to increased risk of psychosis”, while “public health may be moderately affected by increased use (e.g. road accidents)”

Marwa: NDLEA Open to Controlled Exportation of Cannabis Oil

Zagazola Makama replies U.S. Congressman: Stop weaponising religion to deny Nigeria arms

By: Zagazola Makama

Security analyst and counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, has dismissed as false, baseless, and hypocritical the recent claims by U.S. Congressman Riley M. Moore alleging “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in Nigeria.

Makama said the Congressman’s remarks were nothing but an orchestrated attempt to exploit religion as a political weapon, while disguising the real agenda to deny Nigeria access to weapons and military hardware needed to defeat terrorism.

This entire narrative of so-called Christian genocide is not only false but deliberately crafted to cripple Nigeria’s counterterrorism capacity. The same terrorists who attack churches also bomb mosques and kill Muslim villagers. They are not fighting for faith they are fighting against peace,” Makama said.

He noted that Moore’s claim of 7,000 Christians killed in 2025 was not supported by any verifiable evidence or credible international monitoring body, including the United Nations, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, or even the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, which maintains real-time intelligence on Nigeria’s security situation.

“If the U.S. Embassy in Abuja with its vast intelligence network has never classified the violence in Nigeria as religious genocide, then where exactly did this Congressman get his statistics from? Certainly not from facts,” he said.

Makama said it was deeply disturbing that individuals in the U.S. Congress could be misled by propaganda designed to portray Nigeria as a country at war with its Christian population, when in fact, victims of insurgency and banditry cut across all religions and ethnicities.

He warned that blocking arms sales to Nigeria under the guise of human rights or religious concerns would directly strengthen the terrorists and make the U.S. Congress complicit in the killings they claim to condemn.

“When you deny Nigeria weapons to fight terror, you are helping the terrorists who get theirs through illegal back channels. That means the so-called human rights defenders in Congress are aiding mass murder by ensuring that innocent civilians remain defenceless,” Makama stated.

He also reminded the U.S. lawmaker that earlier this year, Washington itself admitted that American taxpayer money through USAID had found its way into the hands of terrorist-linked organizations in the Sahel, yet no one has been prosecuted.

“So before pointing fingers at Nigeria, the U.S. should first look inward. Their own agencies have admitted to indirectly funding terrorists, and yet, they continue to lecture other nations about accountability,” he said.

Makama described the Congressman’s statements as a dangerous attempt to sow religious division and mislead the international community into viewing Nigeria through a sectarian lens.

“Nigeria’s security crisis is not a Christian-versus-Muslim war. It is a fight between lawful citizens and violent extremists. Any attempt to twist it into a religious war is dishonest and deeply irresponsible,” he said.

He added that countless soldiers and civilians of both faiths have sacrificed their lives in defence of the country, and their bravery should never be undermined by political actors seeking to weaponise faith for foreign agendas.

“Those who peddle this false narrative are not friends of peace. They are knowingly promoting religious hatred and helping the enemies of Nigeria by trying to cut off its access to essential defence support,” Makama said.

He called on international partners to rely on verified intelligence, credible data, and first-hand reports from reputable organizations rather than politically motivated fabrications designed to damage Nigeria’s reputation.

“If the U.S. truly stands for global peace and religious freedom, it must stop empowering propaganda that fuels division and weakens nations fighting terrorism on the frontlines,” he concluded.

Zagazola Makama replies U.S. Congressman: Stop weaponising religion to deny Nigeria arms

Nigeria Asks for Fairness, Inclusivity in Position Sharing Among ECOWAS States

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has asked for fairness and inclusivity in sharing positions among member states of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu gave this advice on Tuesday in Abuja to the Economic Community of West African States Adhoc Committee on rotation of statutory positions, stating that by doing this every member would feel a sense been included in the activities of the bloc.

The members of the committee were drawn from Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo.

The committee has been entrusted with the responsibility of reviewing and considering proposals for the allocation of statutory positions within the ECOWAS Institutions for the term 2026 to 2030.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, while speaking

at the opening of the adhoc committee meeting, addressed members of the committee, stressing the importance of the work of the committee given the sensitivity of appointments.

She said: “We are fully aware that the appointment of statutory positions within ECOWAS institutions remains a matter of considerable importance and sensitivity among Member States. This issue has become even more delicate in recent times, given the reduction in the number of statutory positions available following the implementation of the ECOWAS institutional Reforms.

“In this context, our Committee must be mindful of the need to uphold fairness and inclusivity in the distribution of the statutory positions within the ECOWAS Institutions.”

She also warned that aspirations of all Member States, particularly those with smaller populations or limited resources should not be trampled upon.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said: “It is also essential that the aspirations of all Member States, particularly those with smaller populations or limited resources, but who have nonetheless demonstrated unflinching commitment to the organisation, are duly recognized and accommodated.

“It is equally important to underscore that our membership of this Ad-hoc Committee should not be construed as a pathway to positions of leadership within the ECOWAS Institutions. Rather, our engagement should be guided by the principles of regional solidarity, prioritizing the collective interest of the Community above national aspirations. In doing so, we will contribute to fostering deeper unity, mutual trust, and a shared sense of purpose among our citizens.

“As we prepare to commence deliberations on the Memorandum before us, I encourage us all to approach our discussions with unflinching commitment, open-mindedness and a spirit of constructive dialogue. Let us remain focused on ensuring that the outcomes of our engagements are both meaningful and impactful for the future of our region.”

The Minister also assured the gathering that Nigeria will as traditional leader engage with all member states to build consensus and ensure collective decisions for the future of the community.

She said: “We would also recall that Nigeria, as a long standing and committed Member State, played a significant role in shaping and supporting the institutional reforms which culminated in the current and more streamlined structure. Excellencies, these reforms were aimed at reducing operational costs, optimizing administrative efficiency, and enhancing the effectiveness and impact of ECOWAS programmes across the region.

“I want to therefore assure you that as part of our enduring commitment to the ideals of regional integration and solidarity, Nigeria will continue to assume its traditional leadership role by constructively engaging with all Member States to build consensus and ensure that our collective decisions reflect both equity and a shared vision for the future of our Community.”

She also commended the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray and his team for the comprehensive and well-prepared Memorandum provided to guide the deliberations of the committee over the course of the two-day engagement.

She noted that: “The document thoughtfully reflects the relevant legal framework governing the allocation of statutory positions within the ECOWAS Institutions, and will no doubt serve as a valuable reference in facilitating our discussions.”

In his earlier remarks, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray urged the committee to do its work with broader interest of the Community at heart.

He reminded the gathering that the Council of Ministers was informed at the 94 ordinary session of the impending end of mandate of the current management of ECOWAS Institutions by July 14, 2026 in compliance with the 2012 Supplementary Act on the Modalities for the Allocation of Statutory Positions in ECOWAS Institutions.

This, ECOWAS Commission President culminated into the setting up of the six member adhoc committee.

He stressed that “Article 14, paragraph 3 of the Supplementary Act mandated Council to recommend the allocation of the positions to the ECOWAS Authority based on a proposal to be submitted by the President of the Commission.

“To facilitate this process, Council, in June, established this six-member ad hoc committee, comprising of the Republics of Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo, to review the proposed allocation of the Commission and submit it to Council for consideration, and ultimately to the ECOWAS Authority for decision.”

He also added: “During this meeting, the Commission will be presenting a memo setting out the framework for the allocation of the statutory positions for your consideration. The memo was prepared taking into account the provisions of the 2012 Supplementary Act and historical data on the allocations of the statutory positions of the institutions since 1975.

“It is the expectation that the ad hoc Committee will review this proposal with the broader interest of the Community at heart.

Nigeria Asks for Fairness, Inclusivity in Position Sharing Among ECOWAS States