Nigeria Country Profile

Illicit Drug Cultivation 

Cannabis is the main drug of which there is strong evidence of local cultivation. This drug is reported to have been introduced into the country at the end of the Second World War by the returnee soldiers from the Far East. It spread quickly across the country (and West Africa) and is traded under the names igbo, weewee, goof, ganja and herb. Although, it is believed to be cultivated in the Southern region (mainly in Ondo, Ogun, Edo and Delta states), today cannabis cultivation is universally acknowledged in both the Northern and Southern parts of the country. Produced primarily for domestic consumption, cannabis is distributed from the fields to the urban markets through an intricate network involving the long distant truck drivers and haulage groups who hide the crop underneath legitimate merchandise and the ubiquitous street hawkers and retailers, who are believed to be couriers to the barons. The trade appears to blossom due to the celebrated corruption of the Nigeria outfits and in spite of spirited control measures initiated by the NDLEA. Compared to the local alcoholic beverages, cannabis is far cheaper e.g. a per-rolled 'stick' or herb 'wrap' costs about N10, while on the average, a bottle of beer or palm wine go for N50 and N30 respectively.

The output of cannabis may be substantial, especially as huge seizures and destruction are periodically carried out by NDLEA. In 2000, NDLEA reportedly destroyed 1,038,345 Kg of cannabis under its "Operation Burn the Weeds". Cannabis seizures are showing consecutive increases since 1997. From 15,904.72 kg in 1997 and 16,170.51 Kg in 1998 to 17,691.14 Kg in 1999 and a staggering 272,260.02 Kg in 2000 or a 1,438.96% increase in seizures as compared to 1999.