Table of Contents
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has clarified that its recent statements regarding the potential export of cannabis oil were simply opinions expressed during a scientific workshop and do not represent an official policy of the Federal Government.
In a statement released by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Thursday, the agency noted that this clarification was necessary to correct misunderstandings implying that the NDLEA had sanctioned the export of cannabis oil.
According to Babafemi, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), only presented the agency’s viewpoint during the workshop titled “Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria,” which was organized by the Nigerian Academy of Science in Abuja on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
Marwa was cited as stating that while the agency does not oppose the idea of exporting cannabis oil for foreign exchange, it remains against its local use in Nigeria due to existing laws and the high prevalence of drug abuse in the country.
“It is important to understand that the Agency’s position was just one of many perspectives shared by various stakeholders invited to the workshop and should not be interpreted as the Federal Government’s endorsement of this stance,” the statement read.
Babafemi further mentioned that the ongoing study on cannabis oil, commissioned by the NDLEA and conducted by the Nigerian Academy of Science, will inform future decisions regarding this issue.
“We will only be further guided on this matter by the final recommendations from the Nigerian Academy of Science, which will ultimately be submitted to the Federal Government as part of the inputs used to formulate a well-informed policy on the subject,” he said.
The NDLEA stressed that any approval for the export of cannabis oil must come from the Federal Government.
What is the NDLEA's position on cannabis oil export?
The NDLEA has stated that it does not oppose the export of cannabis oil for foreign exchange but is against its local use in Nigeria due to existing laws and concerns about drug abuse.
Was the NDLEA's statement an official policy?
No, the NDLEA clarified that its statements were opinions expressed during a workshop and not an official policy of the Federal Government.
What will guide future decisions on cannabis oil?
Future decisions will be guided by the final recommendations of the ongoing study on cannabis oil conducted by the Nigerian Academy of Science.
