By Vincent Egunyanga, David Lawani, Cajetan Mmuta, Ben Adoga, Anthony Otaru, and David Eze
A fresh investigation by ThisNigeria has revealed a frightening upsurge in drug abuse across the country, with over 40 per cent of Nigerian youths between the ages of 19 and 35 said to be hooked on one form of narcotic or another.
A senior operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and a psychiatric hospital source, who both spoke in confidence, disclosed that “the scale of youth involvement in drug abuse has reached a crisis level.”
According to the NDLEA source, “We are losing a whole generation to drugs. One in every four young women is involved, while the male rate is even higher. The problem cuts across states, ethnicities, and social classes.”
The source added that most of those affected are unemployed, under pressure, or battling depression.
“When you combine poverty with hopelessness and a lack of mental health awareness, the result is a nation of chemically dependent young people,” he said.
A top psychiatrist at one of the federal neuropsychiatric hospitals confirmed that nearly “seven out of every ten admissions we receive are drug-related cases.”
He lamented that “many of them are brought in only after they have become violent, psychotic, or have run-ins with the police.”
*Rehab centres are overwhelmed
Further investigations show that rehabilitation facilities in Abuja and other major cities are overstretched.
Ordinary bed spaces in some private rehabilitation centres go for between ₦250,000 and ₦300,000 monthly, while exclusive or VIP wards reserved for top politicians or the children of wealthy clients can cost as much as ₦400,000 monthly.
Even then, the demand far outweighs the available space. A psychiatric nurse at one of the facilities disclosed that “there is a long queue for rehabilitation. We have more requests than we can handle because there are too few facilities and too many victims.”
The NDLEA FCT Commander, Kabir Tsakuwa, admitted that the situation in the capital city mirrors the national crisis.
“The issue of drug abuse is not funny and must be treated squarely at both individual and governmental levels,” Tsakuwa told ThisNigeria. “There is a strong nexus between drug abuse and other crimes like kidnapping, insurgency, and armed robbery. Once drug trafficking and use are curbed, other crimes will significantly drop.”
According to him, most ‘one chance’ operators, commercial tricycle and motorcycle riders, and street gangs in the FCT operate under the influence of drugs.
Studies conducted in Gwagwalada and Lugbe areas revealed that alcohol, cannabis, tramadol, and opioids were the most commonly abused substances among secondary school students and young artisans.
The substances commonly abused across Nigeria include tramadol, codeine, cannabis (Indian hemp), cocaine, crack, methamphetamine (ice), and a new killer substance known as “kush” or nitazene.
In the North-Central region, locally brewed intoxicants such as “BKT” (brukutu) and other illicit gins are widely consumed, while in the South-South, ‘ogogoro’ or ‘Sapele water’ remains popular.
Experts say that chronic consumption of these substances weakens productivity, especially among farmers and artisans, and contributes to food insecurity.
A health worker at a community clinic in Niger State told ThisNigeria that “when young farmers or commercial riders are perpetually high, their productivity declines. It’s not just a social issue, it’s an economic and food security problem.”
Medically, experts warn that prolonged consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis exposes users to Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and mental illness in later life.
*Psychiatrists, psychologists say depression, peer pressure fuelling addiction
Chief Consultant Psychiatrist and Head of the Forensic Psychiatry Unit at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Dr Ambrose Lawani, described the situation as “mind-boggling and pathetic.”
He disclosed that “over 90 per cent of psychiatric cases we see are drug-related. Sadly, most families only bring their wards when the situation becomes destructive, after they’ve been involved in cultism, fraud, or prostitution.”
Lawani lamented the easy availability of drugs despite NDLEA efforts.
“They are still sold openly, and in some cases, dispatch riders deliver them to clients. The treatment itself is expensive, ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦300,000 per month, depending on severity,” he added.
He called for social support systems, community campaigns, and early intervention in schools.
“Children as young as 10 years are already experimenting with drugs. We must begin mental health advocacy from the primary school level,” Lawani advised.
A senior lecturer in Political Science, Sociology, and Psychology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Dr Igwe Chike, attributed the surge in drug use to social and psychological imbalances.
He told ThisNigeria that “drug users are victims, not criminals. The main enablers are poverty, unemployment, self-medication, depression, peer pressure, and dysfunctional families.”
Chike elaborated, “Many young people take sleeping pills, tramadol, or cannabis to escape stress or depression. It offers temporary relief, but once the effect wears off, they return to it, creating a vicious cycle of dependence.”
He identified low self-esteem, identity crisis, and future anxiety as other primary triggers.
“In a society where poverty and hopelessness are rife, youths seek confidence or comfort in drugs. Some use them to appear bold or to cope with rejection,” he explained.
Chike also highlighted easy accessibility as a key driver.
“When you can buy a tramadol tablet for ₦800 or ₦1,000 on the street, addiction is inevitable. If regulation were stricter and access limited, many would not afford it.”
A psychologist and Mental Health Officer with the Guardian Initiative for Community Development (GICD), Mr Choji Williams Chung, said the growing rate of substance abuse has reached a “national emergency” level.
He observed that “substance use has now penetrated secondary schools. Cannabis, cocaine, cough syrups, alcohol, and tobacco are the most abused, and the trend is worsening.”
Chung identified peer pressure, unemployment, and mental health disorders as leading causes. “Peer pressure is a major factor. Many young people use drugs to fit in or to feel among their friends. Others turn to drugs because of anxiety and mood disorders that remain untreated.”
He called for stronger inter-agency collaboration, especially among NDLEA, Customs, and Immigration, to break supply networks. “We must make it harder for drugs to circulate and cheaper for youths to access therapy and employment,” he urged.
*Civil society perspective
The President of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations (CONGOS), Bartholomew Okoudo, said the link between substance abuse and mental health has deep roots in emotional deprivation, family dysfunction, and social pressure.
“Many young people are battling depression, anxiety, or an identity crisis, but have no access to therapy. They self-medicate with drugs to numb pain or gain acceptance,” Okoudo said.
He warned that social media has worsened the crisis. “Online content now glamorises drug use. Many young people compare themselves with unrealistic lifestyles, fall into depression, and turn to substances for comfort.”
He listed family neglect, unemployment, and the absence of mental health services as structural failures aggravating the problem. “Until government prioritises mental health, rehabilitation, and social support, we will continue to raise a lost generation,” he said.
From Ebonyi, clinical psychologist Dr Nelson Nwali outlined the multiple triggers of substance abuse, from peer influence and family neglect to childhood trauma and performance pressure.
He noted that prevention remains the most effective tool. “Substance abuse is preventable if families, schools, religious bodies, and the media work together to educate young people,” he said.
Nwali recommended comprehensive education, school-based orientation, recreational programmes, skill acquisition, and open communication between parents and children as key preventive measures.
“Parents must set good examples and maintain honest discussions about peer pressure and substance risks,” he added.
Experts agree that the roots of Nigeria’s drug epidemic lie in a combination of poverty, unemployment, depression, peer pressure, family breakdown, and easy drug availability.
The consequences go beyond addiction; they fuel crime, cripple productivity, and strain an already fragile health system.
A senior NDLEA officer summed it up succinctly: “Drug abuse is the oxygen of insecurity in Nigeria. When we tackle it, we cut off the supply of violence, fraud, and banditry.”
He offered recommendations to reverse the crisis, including raising public awareness, tightening regulations, mental health investment, faith and community engagement, and youth empowerment
Lawani concluded, “With proper social support, early intervention, and the right infrastructure, many can recover. But the time to act is now, before we lose more young lives to drugs.”
