Is Ketamine legal in Nigeria?

Also known as: ket, special k

Legal status

Controlled nationally, not by treaty. Ketamine is not in a 1961 or 1971 Convention schedule and is not named in the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30, LFN 2004. NAFDAC treats it as a nationally controlled drug, and it is a controlled medicine within regulation 15 of the NAFDAC Controlled Medicines Regulations 2019 as a registrable medicine. Unlawful dealing is prosecuted under the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30, LFN 2004 through the 'any other similar drugs' limb of sections 11 and 19 or through section 20.

Consequences if caught

Because ketamine is not treaty scheduled, the section 20(1)(a) route, which depends on the 1961 and 1971 Conventions, is weaker here than it is for MDMA or amphetamine. The route actually used is the 'any other similar drugs' limb. Sections 11 and 19 name only cocaine, LSD and heroin, then extend to 'any other similar drugs'. The NDLEA charges non named drugs through that limb. In a 2026 Federal High Court cannabis case the charge read 'a narcotic drug similar to cocaine, LSD, heroin', laid contrary to section 21(2) and punishable under section 11(b). On that route knowing possession is section 19, not less than fifteen and not more than 25 years, and trafficking is section 11(b), life. Section 21(2) deems a person to commit the offence if he does the act, enables or aids another, counsels or procures another, and section 21(3) makes him liable to the same punishment as the principal offender. The NDLEA Act prescribes no death penalty. Its maximum is imprisonment for life. Diversion of a licensed veterinary or hospital supply is regulation 14(1)(a) of the NAFDAC Controlled Medicines Regulations 2019, a maximum of one year or N50,000 for an individual. Which regime is charged materially changes the exposure, from one year to life.

If prescribed or medical

There is a lawful medical and veterinary channel. Ketamine moves through licensed facilities under NAFDAC permit.

Documentation

A personal supply is unusual. Carry the prescription and the dispensing label.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Nigeria’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.