Nigeria Cannabis Laws

Nigeria Drug Law

Nigeria's primary drug legislation is the NDLEA Act of 1989 (as amended), the Dangerous Drugs Act, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Act. Under this framework, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I substance with no recognised medical or industrial exception at the federal level.

Penalties for possession of small personal-use quantities are theoretically severe — the Act provides for imprisonment of up to 25 years for trafficking offences. In practice, lower-level possession cases are frequently resolved through fines or cautions, particularly when the arrested individual has no prior record and the quantity is small. However, this informal resolution mechanism is itself legally problematic, as it often involves informal payments to officers rather than proceeding through the formal court system.

CBD products present a more complex picture. Nigeria has not specifically legalised hemp cultivation or CBD retail, but NAFDAC has not issued blanket prohibition orders against low-THC hemp products. Several Lagos retailers operate in this gap, importing European CBD oils and marketing them as wellness supplements. International visitors should understand that this grey zone does not represent legal protection and that product seizure remains possible.

There is no medical cannabis programme in Nigeria as of 2026. Legislative discussions have occurred in the National Assembly regarding potential decriminalisation, but no bill has passed into law. The trajectory of Nigerian cannabis policy remains uncertain, with strong opposing voices both within government and civil society.