African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has argued that Nigeria could generate significant economic benefits by legalising and regulating cannabis cultivation, particularly for medicinal and export purposes.
Sowore has for years advocated a change in Nigeria’s approach to cannabis, arguing that the country should develop the crop into a regulated agricultural and export industry rather than relying solely on prohibition.
He has previously said Nigeria has the potential to participate in the global cannabis market, noting that cannabis is already cultivated in parts of the country and that other nations are generating substantial revenue from its legal production and trade.
Sowore has particularly pointed to Ekiti State, where he claimed some of the country’s cannabis varieties are highly potent. He argued that Nigeria should explore the economic potential of the crop while establishing appropriate regulatory controls.
In earlier comments, Sowore said Nigeria could export cannabis for medicinal purposes, including products used in the pharmaceutical industry. He also criticised the focus on arresting cannabis farmers while, in his view, the country failed to adequately address other forms of drug-related and economic crime.
His position has historically attracted criticism from drug-control authorities. The former leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for instance, maintained opposition to the legalisation and decriminalisation of cannabis, citing concerns about drug abuse and public health.
The debate remains relevant as Nigeria continues to confront the economic and social consequences of illicit drug trafficking. The NDLEA has continued to seize and destroy large quantities of cannabis and other illicit substances. In August 2026, the agency said it destroyed more than 329,000 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs in Lagos, including different strains of cannabis.
While supporters of regulated cannabis production point to potential agricultural, pharmaceutical and export opportunities, any move towards legalisation would require changes to Nigeria’s existing drug-control framework, together with strict regulation and safeguards against abuse.
Sowore’s proposal therefore remains part of a broader debate over whether Nigeria should continue its prohibition-based approach or explore a tightly regulated cannabis industry as a potential source of jobs, exports and government revenue.
