NDLEA makes clarifications on export of Cannabis oil 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has clarified that its recent comments on the potential export of cannabis oil were merely opinions expressed during a scientific workshop and not an official policy position of the Federal Government.

In a statement issued by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Thursday, the agency said the clarification became necessary to address misinterpretations suggesting that the NDLEA had approved the export of cannabis oil.

According to Babafemi, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), had only presented the agency’s perspective during the workshop themed “Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria,” organized by the Nigerian Academy of Science in Abuja on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

Marwa was quoted as saying that while the agency is not opposed to the idea of exporting cannabis oil for foreign exchange purposes, it remains against its local use in Nigeria due to existing laws and the high rate of drug abuse in the country.

“It is important to note that the Agency’s position was one of the many opinions canvassed by various stakeholders invited to address the workshop and should not be seen as the Federal Government’s approval of the position yet,” the statement read.

Babafemi added that the ongoing study on cannabis oil commissioned by the NDLEA and conducted by the Nigerian Academy of Science would guide future decisions on the matter.

“We can only be further guided on this matter by the final recommendations of the Nigerian Academy of Science, which will eventually be submitted to the Federal Government as part of inputs that will be used to develop an informed policy on the subject,” he said.

The NDLEA emphasized that any approval for the export of cannabis oil can only come from the Federal Government.