By Abdul Lauya
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for the fight against illicit drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria to become a national movement, involving all sectors of society, not just government.
Speaking at the 2025 World Drug Day event held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, emphasized the importance of community engagement and human rights in addressing drug abuse.
He stressed that addressing the root causes of drug abuse—poverty, inequality, conflict, and lack of opportunity—was key to the government’s comprehensive response to the crisis.
The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with the international community to dismantle drug trafficking networks and build a future focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery.
He commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its successes in both drug supply and demand reduction under the leadership of Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd).
According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, Marwa in his address said drug use prevention is now more urgent than ever due to Nigeria’s high prevalence rate and growing population.
Marwa warned that parents, guardians, and leaders must remain vigilant, as children and youths are especially vulnerable to drug experimentation and addiction.
He stated that the NDLEA continues to prioritize drug prevention through community awareness, school sensitization, and partnerships under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.
Babafemi quoted Marwa as saying the agency had conducted 11,123 sensitisation programmes nationwide, supported by weekly media engagement and psycho-social services through a 24/7 toll-free helpline.
Marwa revealed that in the past 53 months, NDLEA arrested 66,085 suspects, including 94 drug barons, and seized over 11.1 million kilograms of illicit drugs.
He noted that 12,201 convictions were secured, and 26,393 individuals were treated and rehabilitated during the same period.
Babafemi reported that seven new rehabilitation centres have been approved by President Tinubu and will be developed within the 2025 budget cycle.
Marwa added that while prevention remains critical, cutting off drug supply and dismantling trafficking operations are equally important to stop the crisis at its source.
He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the National Assembly, state governors’ spouses, and corporate and international partners for their support in combating drug abuse.
Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said illicit drugs threaten Nigeria’s health, security, justice, and economy, urging stronger integration of prevention into national systems.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, said the drug war is a moral and national imperative to save Nigerian youths.
UNODC Country Representative Cheikh Ousmane Toure urged greater investment in drug prevention, treatment, and recovery, describing them as “life-saving interventions.”
