The Federal Government has renewed its resolve to tackle illicit drug use and trafficking by strengthening prevention efforts, expanding treatment and rehabilitation services, and intensifying the fight against criminal drug networks.
The commitment was announced at the National Drug Use Summit held in Abuja under the theme, “Addressing Illicit Drug Use and Trafficking: A Call to National Action.” The gathering brought together government officials, security agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and health experts to develop a more coordinated national response to the country’s drug challenge.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Adamu Ibrahim Kana, said the administration remains fully committed to initiatives aimed at preventing drug abuse, dismantling trafficking networks, improving access to treatment and rehabilitation, and safeguarding the well-being of Nigerians.
He warned that substance abuse poses a serious threat to national development, particularly among young people, stressing that no nation can achieve sustainable progress if its youth are overwhelmed by addiction.
According to him, drug trafficking syndicates weaken public institutions and exploit vulnerable communities.
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), said addressing the country’s drug problem requires collaboration among government institutions, families, communities, religious leaders, the private sector, and the media.
Marwa explained that the summit provides an opportunity to build consensus around a comprehensive National Action Plan that prioritises prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, reliable data collection and stronger community resilience.
Highlighting the agency’s recent achievements, he disclosed that the NDLEA arrested 29,262 suspects over the past 18 months, seized more than 5.3 million kilograms of illicit drugs with an estimated street value exceeding ₦1.5 trillion, and secured 5,225 convictions.
He stressed that through the agency’s nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, over 6,600 awareness programmes were conducted in schools, workplaces, communities, and correctional facilities, reaching nearly five million Nigerians.
According to him, 13,508 individuals battling drug dependence also received counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation through the agency’s 31 rehabilitation centres across the country.
Marwa further highlighted the NDLEA’s Alternative Development Initiative, which supports cannabis farmers in transitioning from illegal cultivation to lawful agricultural ventures that provide sustainable sources of income.
Representing the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, Mrs. Henrietta Bakura-Onyeneke, Director of the Narcotics and Drug Abuse Division in the ministry’s Food and Drugs Department, urged participants to ensure the summit delivers practical and measurable results.
She emphasied that the true success of the gathering would be reflected in fewer young people initiating drug use, more patients recovering from addiction, and families rebuilding their lives.
The United Nations also reaffirmed its support for Nigeria’s anti-drug efforts.
Representing the Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga said changing drug use patterns and the emergence of new psychoactive substances require evidence-based interventions and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
He noted that the summit offers an important platform to align efforts under Nigeria’s National Drug Control Master Plan and transform policy commitments into effective action.
The summit was jointly organised by the NDLEA, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s response to illicit drug use and trafficking.
