In a shocking revelation, a burgeoning market fueled by addiction to synthetic opioids, estimated to be worth over $1 billion, has emerged as the most pressing challenge in Nigeria’s ongoing drug crisis. This issue, apart from the notorious trafficking of cocaine and heroin, has taken center stage, according to a recent report jointly published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS).
The driving force behind this alarming trend is organized crime syndicates that specialize in the production, distribution, and usage of drugs. These syndicates have made this crisis escalate rapidly, aided by the illicit importation of chemicals for the local pharmaceutical industry.
The report explicitly states, “The most important domestic drug market is that of synthetic opioids. The number of consumers is so large that the market is estimated to be worth more than $1 billion annually, likely marking Nigeria’s single highest-value drug market.”
Most notably, the widespread use of Tramadol in pill form is the primary driver of this opioid crisis. While Tramadol itself is not illicit, its extensive non-medical use in Nigeria is illegal.
Startlingly, nearly all the Tramadol seized in Nigeria between 2011 and 2019 was traced back to manufacturers in South and Southeast Asia. Furthermore, ports in Benin Republic and Togo, frequently used for shipping goods to Nigeria, have also seen significant seizures of this drug.
The ban on codeine cough syrup in Nigeria in 2018 has likely led to the diversion of supplies from neighboring countries, according to the report.
As if this wasn’t alarming enough, the prices of Tramadol in Nigeria skyrocketed, increasing five-fold between 2017 and 2021. Additionally, Nigeria remains a major hub for transnational cocaine and heroin trade, with cocaine making its way from Latin America through Nigeria and neighboring countries.
While Nigeria has regulations in place to control the distribution of certain medicines to licensed pharmacists, these regulations seem to be widely disregarded, as noted by a group of academics.
The report also sheds light on the cannabis and methamphetamine trade in the country. Much of the cannabis produced is consumed locally, while methamphetamine appears to be exported.
This dark narrative includes stories of recruitment and exploitation, where young boys are transported to work on cannabis fields in exchange for meager wages. Some even use their earnings to buy cannabis for sale in the city, contributing to the distribution network.
The cultivation of cannabis is not limited to small-scale operations; some farmers have considerable social and financial influence, amassing substantial profits from this trade.
In summary, the drug crisis in Nigeria is multifaceted, with synthetic opioids emerging as a billion-dollar challenge alongside the persistent issues of cocaine, heroin trafficking, and the domestic cannabis trade.
