FG reaffirms commitment to crush drug cartels, expand treatment as National Drug Summit opens

Stanley Ihedigbo

Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling illicit drug use and trafficking across the country, pledging to dismantle drug cartels, strengthen rehabilitation services and protect the well-being of Nigerians through coordinated national action.

According to the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Femi Babafemi, the commitment was reiterated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, during the opening of the National Drug Use Summit held in Abuja.

The summit, themed “Addressing Illicit Drug Use and Trafficking: A Call to National Action,” was jointly organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Adamu Ibrahim Kana, Akume said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remained unwavering in its determination to prevent drug abuse, dismantle trafficking syndicates, expand treatment and rehabilitation programmes, and promote healthier communities across the country.

According to the SGF, no nation can attain sustainable development when its youth population is threatened by substance abuse and addiction, stressing that criminal networks involved in illicit drug trafficking continue to undermine national institutions and exploit vulnerable communities.

He said the summit provides an opportunity for government and stakeholders to renew their commitment, strengthen partnerships and develop coordinated strategies capable of building a healthier, safer and more resilient Nigeria.

Akume noted that under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government is investing in resilient communities, promoting mental health, empowering young people and strengthening institutions responsible for addressing emerging social challenges.

He also commended the collaboration between the NDLEA, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the UNODC for convening the national summit aimed at mobilising collective action against the growing drug menace.

In his welcome address, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the summit as a critical national platform for reflection, dialogue and coordinated action against the increasing burden of illicit drug use and substance use disorders.

Marwa explained that despite the significant successes recorded by the agency in reducing both drug supply and demand, it had become evident that no single institution could effectively combat the country’s drug challenge without broader collaboration.

He said the scale of the problem requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving government institutions, communities, families, development partners, the private sector, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media.

According to him, the summit is expected to lay the foundation for a coordinated National Action Plan that will strengthen prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, research, policy implementation and community resilience.

Highlighting the agency’s achievements over the past 18 months, Marwa disclosed that the NDLEA arrested 29,262 suspects involved in drug-related offences and seized 5,305,484.88 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs with an estimated street value exceeding ₦1.5 trillion.

He added that the agency also secured the conviction of 5,225 offenders while intensifying efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating across the country.

On drug demand reduction, Marwa said the NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign had conducted 6,645 sensitisation programmes in schools, markets, worship centres, workplaces, motor parks, correctional centres and communities nationwide.

He revealed that nearly five million Nigerians had benefited from the awareness campaigns, while 13,508 drug users received counselling, treatment and rehabilitation across the agency’s 31 rehabilitation centres.

Marwa further highlighted the agency’s Alternative Development Initiative, designed to assist cannabis growers in transitioning from illicit cultivation to legitimate agricultural ventures and other sustainable livelihoods.

He expressed confidence that stronger partnerships and sustained commitment would significantly reduce the burden of drug abuse and contribute to building a healthier and more prosperous Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, stressed that the summit must produce concrete outcomes rather than end with declarations alone.

According to him, the true success of the gathering would be measured by the number of young Nigerians discouraged from initiating drug use, the number of patients successfully treated, and the number of families restored through effective intervention programmes.

He assured participants that the Federal Ministry of Health would continue to provide leadership, coordination and collaboration in implementing evidence-based strategies to combat substance abuse.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also reaffirmed its support for Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign.
Speaking on behalf of the UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Toure, Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga commended the strong collaboration among government ministries, agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector.

He noted that Nigeria’s evolving drug landscape, characterised by emerging substances and changing patterns of abuse, demands urgent, coordinated and evidence-based interventions.

According to him, the summit represents an important opportunity to strengthen implementation of Nigeria’s National Drug Control Master Plan and translate existing commitments into practical, measurable actions capable of protecting lives, communities and future generations.

The summit attracted representatives of federal ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, military and security organisations, non-governmental organisations, civil society groups and other critical stakeholders committed to addressing Nigeria’s growing drug challenge.