FG Reaffirms Fight Against Drug Abuse

The Federal Government has restated its commitment to tackling illicit drug use and trafficking across Nigeria, saying it will continue to strengthen efforts to break drug trafficking networks, improve access to treatment and rehabilitation, and protect the well-being of citizens.

Naija News reports that the assurance was given on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 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 event, themed Addressing Illicit Drug Use and Trafficking: A Call to National Action, was 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).

Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary for General Services in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr Adamu Ibrahim Kana, said the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to fighting drug abuse and protecting Nigerians.

He said the government would continue supporting programmes aimed at preventing drug use, stopping trafficking activities, and helping people battling addiction to recover.

According to him, no country can achieve lasting growth if its young people are trapped by drug abuse or if criminal groups involved in drug trafficking continue to weaken national institutions.

He said the summit provides an opportunity for government agencies, development partners and other stakeholders to work together in finding lasting solutions to the growing drug problem.

Akume added that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government is working to build stronger communities, improve mental health services, empower young people and strengthen institutions responsible for tackling social challenges.

He also praised the NDLEA, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the UNODC for bringing stakeholders together to discuss practical ways of addressing drug abuse and trafficking in the country.

Speaking at the event, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the summit was organised to provide a national platform for discussions and collective action against the rising cases of substance abuse and drug use disorders in Nigeria.

Marwa said the meeting followed activities organised to mark World Drug Day and reflected the determination of stakeholders to address the country’s changing drug situation through coordinated and evidence-based measures.

He noted that although the NDLEA had made progress in reducing both drug supply and demand, the growing challenge cannot be solved by one agency alone.

He said success would require the active involvement of government institutions, communities, families, traditional and religious leaders, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and the media.

Marwa said the summit would help develop a coordinated National Action Plan that would strengthen prevention programmes, treatment and rehabilitation services, improve data collection, support better policy implementation and build stronger communities.

He disclosed that within the last 18 months, the NDLEA arrested 29,262 suspects, seized more than 5.3 million kilograms of different illicit drugs with an estimated value exceeding N1.5 trillion, and secured the conviction of 5,225 offenders.

On drug demand reduction, Marwa said the agency carried out 6,645 awareness programmes in schools, markets, motor parks, workplaces, worship centres, correctional facilities and communities across the country.

He said the campaigns reached nearly five million Nigerians with information aimed at preventing drug abuse.

He also revealed that 13,508 drug users received counselling, treatment and rehabilitation at the agency’s 31 rehabilitation centres across Nigeria during the same period.

Marwa further stated that the NDLEA had launched an Alternative Development Initiative for cannabis growers to help them abandon illegal cultivation and move into lawful farming and other sustainable means of livelihood.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, said the summit should produce practical results rather than ending with discussions alone.

He said success should be measured by fewer young people taking drugs, more patients receiving proper care and more families recovering from the effects of substance abuse.

He added that the ministry was ready to work with all stakeholders to achieve those goals.

Representing the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Dr Akanidomo Ibanga, who spoke on behalf of Country Representative Cheikh Toure, praised the cooperation among government agencies, civil society groups, development partners and the private sector.

He said Nigeria was facing changing patterns of drug use and the emergence of new substances, making it necessary for stakeholders to respond quickly and effectively.

He added that the summit offered an opportunity to strengthen the implementation of the National Drug Control Master Plan through practical actions that would produce measurable results.

The summit attracted participants from federal ministries, departments and agencies, security organisations, the military, development partners, non-governmental organisations and civil society groups, all working towards a stronger national response to drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Nigeria.