The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to preventing illicit drug use, dismantling drug trafficking networks, expanding access to treatment and rehabilitation, and safeguarding the wellbeing of Nigerians as stakeholders converged in Abuja for the National Drug Use Summit.
According to an official signed statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi, the assurance was given by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, during the opening of the National Drug Use Summit themed, “Addressing Illicit Drug Use and Trafficking: A Call to National Action,” held on Wednesday in Abuja.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Adamu Ibrahim Kana, the SGF said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, remains unwavering in its resolve to combat illicit drugs and protect the nation’s youth.
“On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, and on behalf of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, I reaffirm our unwavering commitment to every initiative aimed at preventing illicit drug use, dismantling trafficking networks, expanding access to treatment and rehabilitation, and promoting the wellbeing of all Nigerians,” Akume stated.
He stressed that no nation can achieve sustainable development when its young population is threatened by substance abuse, warning that criminal networks involved in illicit drug trafficking continue to undermine national institutions and exploit societal vulnerabilities.
“No nation can achieve sustainable development when its young population is threatened by drug abuse and addiction. No society can attain lasting peace and prosperity when criminal networks engaged in illicit trafficking continue to undermine its institutions and exploit its vulnerabilities. This summit presents a timely opportunity for us to renew our collective commitment, deepen our partnerships and chart a clear, coordinated pathway towards a healthier, safer and more resilient Nigeria,” he said.
Akume added that the Renewed Hope Agenda places priority on building resilient communities, promoting mental health, empowering young people and strengthening institutions to confront emerging social challenges.
In his welcome address, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), said the summit was convened to mobilise stakeholders towards developing a coordinated National Action Plan against drug abuse and trafficking.
“The scale of this challenge demands a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response, one that mobilises every stakeholder. This summit is both timely and necessary because it offers us a unique opportunity to build consensus around a coordinated National Action Plan that strengthens prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, data collection, policy implementation and community resilience,” Marwa said.
Highlighting the agency’s achievements, Marwa disclosed that within the last 18 months, the NDLEA arrested 29,262 suspected drug offenders, seized 5,305,484.88 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs valued at over N1.5 trillion, secured 5,225 convictions and dismantled numerous trafficking networks.
He added that through the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, the agency conducted 6,645 drug prevention sensitisation programmes across schools, worship centres, workplaces, markets, motor parks, correctional facilities and communities, reaching nearly five million Nigerians with preventive education.
According to him, the agency also provided counselling, treatment and rehabilitation for 13,508 drug users through its 31 rehabilitation centres nationwide, while introducing the Alternative Development Initiative to assist cannabis growers in transitioning to legitimate agricultural livelihoods.
Also speaking, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, urged stakeholders to ensure the summit produces measurable outcomes rather than remaining a platform for discussions.
“The measure of this summit will not be the communique. It will be the number of young people who choose not to start drugs. It will be the number of patients who sleep without pain. It will be the number of families restored. The Federal Ministry of Health stands ready to lead, to coordinate, to collaborate and to deliver,” Pate said.
The Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mr. Cheikh Toure, represented by Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga, commended the collaboration among government institutions, development partners and civil society organisations.
“This summit is more than a convening. It is a moment of alignment—a moment to reaffirm our shared commitment to the National Drug Control Master Plan and to translate that commitment into practical, measurable action,” the UNODC representative said.
The summit attracted participants from relevant ministries, departments and agencies, the military, security agencies, development partners, non-governmental organisations and civil society groups committed to strengthening Nigeria’s response to illicit drug use and trafficking.
