NDLEA Warns Corps Members as Nigeria Records 50 Million Drug Abusers

As part of activities marking the 2025 World Drug Week, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised serious concerns over the growing rate of drug abuse in Nigeria, revealing that the country accounts for a staggering 50 million of the 300 million drug users globally.

This revelation came during a sensitization session at the Lagos NYSC Orientation Camp, led by the Head of the NDLEA unit in camp, Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics (ASN) Azeez Akinsola. Addressing the corps members, Akinsola said the figures were not just statistics but a wake-up call to the devastating scope of the problem.

“Over 300 million people globally abuse drugs, and 50 million of them are right here in Nigeria,” he said. “What’s more disturbing is that 20% of these cases occur in Lagos alone. This means one in every ten people could introduce someone to drugs.”

Akinsola attributed the rise in drug use to emotional trauma, peer influence, stress, and societal pressure. He urged corps members to avoid drug use and resist glamorized portrayals of drug culture, especially in music and pop culture.

Using relatable references, such as Burna Boy’s “Last Last,” he explained how music often normalizes harmful behavior. He described dangerous substances like “Colos” as “a mobile coffin wrapped in rolling paper,” warning that drug addiction leads to mental illness, job loss, and social isolation.

He also highlighted the inadequacy of rehabilitation centres in the country, noting that Nigeria has only one facility capable of accommodating just 20 individuals at a time—underscoring the importance of prevention over cure.