By Omoyeni Ojeifo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to eradicating substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking using innovative, data-driven strategies.
Speaking on Friday at the grand finale of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Tinubu—who was represented by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN)—warned that the changing landscape of drug abuse requires constant vigilance, adaptability, and collective action.
He warned that substance abuse threatens families, schools, workplaces and national security, stressing that government is addressing the challenge through a coordinated strategy.
Tinubu said the Renewed Hope Agenda is expanding education, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, job creation and social interventions to reduce vulnerability to substance abuse.
“My administration remains committed to creating an environment in which young Nigerians can thrive and succeed,” Tinubu said.
He also called for stronger border management, enhanced surveillance, improved intelligence gathering and greater collaboration among local and international law enforcement agencies.
The President underscored the importance of science, technology and reliable data in identifying emerging drug trends and strengthening forensic capabilities.
“We must continue to strengthen our capacity to collect, analyse and apply data so that emerging trends are identified early, interventions are properly evaluated and strategic decisions are informed by facts,” he said.
Tinubu also called for stronger support for the criminal justice system to ensure drug traffickers are effectively prosecuted and brought to justice.
He commended the leadership and personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for increased arrests, seizures, convictions, rehabilitation campaigns and the dismantling of major drug cartels.
“This is a fitting occasion for me to convey my strong commendation to the officers, men and leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency under the able leadership of retired Brig-Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa,” he said.
The President urged parents, schools, religious and traditional leaders, the media and the private sector to support drug prevention and rehabilitation efforts.
In his welcome remarks, NDLEA Chairman/CEO, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa said Nigeria remains in lockstep with the global community in confronting drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
He said the agency has remained resolute against increasingly sophisticated criminal networks through intelligence-led operations across airports, seaports, land borders and forest locations.
“In the face of these sophisticated threats, the NDLEA has not blinked. We remain resolute,” Marwa said.
He said joint operations with the US Drug Enforcement Administration and authorities in Greece, France and Switzerland dismantled the notorious Amadi Simon drug cartel.
Marwa said the agency also disrupted a transcontinental methamphetamine cartel, arresting suspected drug baron Innocent Anochili, three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian accomplices.
Another operation, he said, uncovered an industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory in Tapa village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, leading to the arrest of a Mexican national and four others.
Marwa said NDLEA has arrested 234 drug barons over the past five years, dismantling major trafficking networks across the country.
He disclosed that in the last 18 months, the Agency arrested 29,262 suspects, secured 5,225 convictions and seized 5,305,484.88 kilograms of illicit drugs valued at over ₦1.5 trillion.
“These numbers represent more than just data; they represent millions of lives saved, billions of naira in criminal wealth confiscated, and a future reclaimed for our youths,” Marwa said.
He added that NDLEA conducted 6,645 drug prevention campaigns, reaching nearly five million Nigerians, while 13,508 drug users received counselling, treatment and rehabilitation in 31 centres nationwide.
Marwa also highlighted the Agency’s Alternative Development Programme, describing it as the first of its kind in Africa.
He also said it supports cannabis farmers to switch to legitimate crops, including cassava, maize, cowpeas and cocoa.
He said NDLEA was expanding the use of technology, deep-web intelligence and advanced data analytics, while strengthening forensic capacity to tackle emerging drug threats.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) commended Nigeria’s balanced approach to drug control, describing it as evidence-based and aligned with global best practices.
The event also featured the presentation of prizes to winners of the NDLEA inter-secondary school essay competition, with the top three recipients receiving ₦500,000, ₦300,000 and ₦200,000 respectively.
Persecondnews reports that the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Sadiq Sulaiman Umar, First Lady of Kwara State, Amb. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, and Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by Mrs. Adeola -Yusuf, among others were also present at the event.
The theme for this year’s celebration is: “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.”