Gambar Ilustrasi By AIThe findings matter because Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, with more than 200 million people and one of the youngest populations in the world. As drug abuse rises sharply among young adults, the country risks losing a generation of productive workers while spending billions to manage the health and social consequences.
A Growing Crisis in Africa’s Largest Nation
Drug abuse in Nigeria is no longer a marginal social issue. It has become a central development challenge that affects families, communities, healthcare systems, and the national economy.
According to the review, Nigeria may now be confronting one of the most serious substance abuse emergencies in Africa. Around 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 have used psychoactive substances for non-medical purposes. The highest prevalence is among young adults aged 25 to 39 the same group that faces the country’s highest unemployment rates.
At the same time, Nigeria’s mental health system remains critically under-resourced. Fewer than 150 psychiatrists serve a population of over 200 million people, and only about a dozen specialized drug treatment centers operate nationwide.
The result is a crisis that cuts across public health, economic growth, education, and social stability.
From Transit Route to Consumption Market
Historically, Nigeria played a role as a transit country for international drug trafficking. Today, it has become a major consumption market and in some cases, a local production hub.
Traditional Nigerian societies once used natural substances mainly for medicine and rituals. In recent decades, patterns have shifted toward synthetic drugs and widespread misuse of prescription medicines. Tramadol, pharmaceutical opioids, cannabis, and codeine-based cough syrup are now among the most commonly abused substances.
Economic downturns since the 1980s, rapid urbanization, weakening family structures, and limited job opportunities for young people have all contributed to the rise of drug use as a coping mechanism and, in some cases, a source of informal income.
How the Review Was Conducted
Miriam’s study is based on a systematic review of 45 peer-reviewed journal articles, government reports, and international databases published between 2015 and 2024.
The research team examined:
- National and regional drug use surveys
- Public health and hospital records
- Economic and labor market reports
- Policy and governance assessments
By combining statistical data with social and economic analysis, the review presents a nationwide picture of how drug abuse affects Nigeria’s development.
Key Findings at a Glance
The review highlights several alarming trends:
- Scale of drug use: About 14.3 million Nigerians use psychoactive substances for non-medical purposes.
- Most abused substances: Cannabis leads at 10.8 percent prevalence, followed by pharmaceutical opioids (4.7 percent) and codeine cough syrup (2.4 percent).
- Youth at highest risk: Young adults aged 25–39 show the highest usage rates.
- Unemployment link: More than 53 percent of unemployed graduates are affected by substance abuse.
- Mental health gap: Nigeria has fewer than 150 psychiatrists nationwide.
- Limited treatment access: Only 11 specialized drug treatment facilities serve the entire country.
The economic burden is equally severe. National statistics estimate that drug abuse costs Nigeria more than ₦4.8 trillion (about USD 5.8 billion) every year. Productivity losses account for most of the damage, followed by healthcare spending on addiction-related illnesses.
Low-income families suffer the most. In poor households affected by substance abuse, up to 28 percent of household income is spent on drugs and treatment, compared with 9 percent among wealthier families.
Public Health Under Pressure
Drug abuse is now a major contributor to Nigeria’s burden of disease. Hospitals report high numbers of patients suffering from drug-related psychosis, liver disease, injuries, and infectious diseases.
Mental health conditions are the most common complication. More than 40 percent of people with substance use disorders also suffer from depression, anxiety, or psychotic disorders. Among people who inject drugs, HIV prevalence is nearly seven times higher than in the general population.
Substance-related disorders account for roughly 28 percent of psychiatric hospital admissions nationwide, placing enormous strain on already overstretched health facilities.
Prevention programs and harm-reduction services remain rare. Needle exchange programs and medication-assisted treatment widely used in other countries are still limited in Nigeria due to funding shortages and social stigma.
Drug Abuse and Development: A Vicious Cycle
One of the most important insights from the review is the two-way relationship between drug abuse and poverty.
Economic hardship increases vulnerability to drug use. At the same time, drug abuse deepens poverty by reducing productivity, increasing healthcare costs, and destabilizing families.
This creates a self-reinforcing cycle:
- Poverty and unemployment increase psychological stress
- Drug use becomes a coping mechanism
- Addiction reduces employability and income
- Families sink deeper into poverty
In a country where more than 60 percent of the population is under 25, this cycle threatens long-term human capital and economic growth.
A Call for Integrated Solutions
Miriam argues that Nigeria’s current response, which relies heavily on law enforcement, is not enough. Arrests and seizures alone cannot solve a crisis rooted in economic hardship, social inequality, and health system failures.
“The evidence shows that drug abuse in Nigeria is a complex public health and developmental challenge,” Miriam writes. “Effective solutions must integrate health interventions with socioeconomic development strategies that address poverty, unemployment, and youth empowerment.”
The review recommends four priority actions:
- Strengthen the health system by integrating addiction treatment into primary healthcare and training non-specialist providers.
- Expand prevention programs in schools and communities to reduce early exposure.
- Create economic opportunities for young people through vocational training and entrepreneurship programs.
- Invest in research capacity to track emerging drug trends and evaluate intervention effectiveness.
Why This Matters for Africa and the World
Nigeria’s drug abuse crisis has regional and global implications. As a major economic hub in West Africa, instability in Nigeria affects neighboring countries through migration, trafficking routes, and cross-border crime.
For international partners, the findings underline the importance of supporting Nigeria’s public health infrastructure and youth employment programs as part of broader development cooperation.
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