The Nigerian government has reaffirmed its commitment to adopting a balanced, evidence-based and human-centred approach to drug control, with renewed focus on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and access to essential medicines for patients with legitimate medical needs.
The commitment was announced at the Maiden National Drug Use Summit held in Abuja, where the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said addressing substance abuse requires a strategy that combines public health interventions with law enforcement and improved access to healthcare.
Represented by the Director of Food and Drug Services, Mrs Olufowobi-Yusuf Adeola, the minister said drug use has become a major public health and development challenge in Nigeria.
Quoting findings from the 2018 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime survey, he noted that 14.4 per cent of Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 had used drugs, with cannabis remaining the most commonly abused substance alongside the growing misuse of prescription opioids such as tramadol and codeine.
“The rising burden of drug misuse has significant implications for public health, national security and socio-economic development,” he said, stressing that the country’s response must go beyond enforcement alone.
Professor Pate emphasised that while efforts to curb illicit drug trafficking would continue, the government also has a responsibility to ensure that patients suffering from severe pain caused by cancer, surgery, sickle cell disease and other medical conditions have access to controlled medicines such as morphine and pethidine.
“Denying patients appropriate pain relief because of concerns over drug diversion is unacceptable. We will continue to pursue policies that balance effective drug control with access to essential medicines,” he stated.
The Minister explained that while security agencies would continue supply reduction efforts, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would lead demand reduction through prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
“Addiction is a medical condition requiring evidence-based care rather than stigma or punishment alone,” Professor Pate said.
He disclosed that the ministry would expand screening, brief intervention and referral services for substance use disorders across primary healthcare centres and general hospitals, while increasing accredited treatment and rehabilitation centres and training more healthcare workers in medically assisted treatment.
In a statement signed by Assistant Director, Information & Public Relations, Ado Bako, the Minister announced plans to strengthen accountability within the pharmaceutical supply chain by improving security at warehouses storing narcotic medicines, deploying inventory management systems and enhancing joint inspections with regulatory and enforcement agencies.
“This is to ensure proper monitoring of controlled medicines from procurement to patient use, the ministry would deepen collaboration with the Ministries of Education, Youth and Women Affairs to promote evidence-based drug prevention programmes in schools and communities while tackling stigma associated with substance use disorders”. He stressed.
Commending Kaduna State for its efforts in addressing drug abuse, the Minister urged other state governments to strengthen data systems, finance state-specific response plans and invest more in treatment and rehabilitation services alongside enforcement.
He also acknowledged the support of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), international development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, noting that sustained collaboration remains essential in tackling the country’s drug problem.
“The true measure of this summit’s success will be seen in fewer young people initiating drug use, more patients receiving effective pain management, restored families and stronger communities committed to preventing substance abuse,” the Minister explained.
Speaking at the summit, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr Abubakar Ibrahim Kana, described the fight against illicit drugs as a collective responsibility.
He warned that substance use disorders continue to fuel mental illness, family breakdown, school dropout, unemployment and criminal activities, particularly among young Nigerians.
“The fight against illicit drugs requires the commitment of government institutions, communities, families, healthcare providers, security agencies, civil society organisations, faith-based groups, the private sector and international partners,” he said.
Akume reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthening mental healthcare, empowering young people and building resilient communities capable of addressing emerging social challenges.
Earlier, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Retired Brigadier-General Muhammad Buba Marwa, described the summit as timely and necessary, saying it provides an opportunity to develop a coordinated national action plan focused on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, data collection, policy implementation and community resilience.
He urged participants to share experiences, examine available evidence and develop practical recommendations that would strengthen institutional collaboration and protect Nigerians, especially young people, from the devastating effects of drug abuse.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, represented by the Director of the Narcotics Division, Pharmacist Henrietta Bakura-Onyeneke, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to building a healthcare system where no Nigerian suffers unnecessary pain because of lack of access to essential medicines and no citizen loses their future to drug misuse.
