By Ameh Gabriel
Abuja, Nigeria — June 26, 2025: Nigeria marked the 2025 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with a powerful show of unity and resolve as top government officials, international partners, and private sector leaders gathered in Abuja to call for urgent, evidence-based action to combat the nation’s growing drug crisis.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, delivered the keynote address at the high-level event, declaring drug abuse a national emergency requiring holistic and collaborative action.
“This year’s theme ‘The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention’ is a wake-up call,” Akume stated. “Drug abuse is destroying lives, dismantling families, and undermining our national development. We must act with urgency and unity.”
Tinubu emphasized the need for increased investment in youth-focused education and community-based interventions that can curb experimentation and addiction before they take root. He called for accessible, stigma-free treatment and rehabilitation services, stressing that addiction is a public health issue, not a moral failing.
“Prevention saves lives. But we must also ensure safe treatment and reintegration for those already caught in addiction’s grip,” he said.
Following the SGF’s keynote, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), presented a sobering picture of Nigeria’s drug landscape, revealing that over 14.3 million Nigerians use drugs nearly three times the global average with cannabis alone accounting for 10.6 million users.
“More than 90% of violent criminals, including terrorists and kidnappers, are under the influence of drugs,” Marwa warned. “Drug abuse is not just a health problem it’s a threat to national security.”
Marwa highlighted the NDLEA’s three-pronged approach: prevention, treatment, and enforcement. He noted the success of advocacy campaigns such as Save Our Families (SOF), the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, and the integration of drug education into school curricula. He also revealed that over 26,000 individuals had been treated across 30 rehabilitation centers in the past 18 months, with seven more centers approved in the 2025 budget.
“Prevention is no longer optional; it is a national imperative,” Marwa declared. “We must stop the demand for drugs before it starts.”
Representing the President of the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo delivered an address on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, reinforcing the urgency of prevention-focused strategies. Akpabio praised NDLEA’s efforts but cautioned that enforcement alone would not win the battle.
“This war begins in the shadows where schools are abandoned, families are broken, and youth are neglected,” Akpabio said. “It is a war for the soul of our nation, and it must be fought with compassion, leadership, and vision.”
He urged governments at all levels to massively invest in education, public enlightenment, and youth empowerment, calling it “a strategic necessity, not a luxury.”
“We must not only pass laws but implement them with urgency. The real battle is in our classrooms, clinics, and communities,” he added.
The event also saw a crucial intervention from the private sector, led by Dr. (Mrs.) Mosun Belo-Olusoga, Chairman of the MTN Foundation, a long-time partner of NDLEA in community outreach and rehabilitation initiatives.
In her address, Dr. Belo-Olusoga commended the NDLEA’s unwavering commitment and reaffirmed MTN Foundation’s pledge to supporting national drug prevention and recovery efforts.
“The scale of Nigeria’s drug crisis demands all-hands-on-deck. Prevention and recovery must not be the burden of government alone. The private sector must stand up, scale up, and sustain support,” she said.
She emphasized the importance of investing in young people through education, life skills training, digital tools, and mental health support, pledging continued collaboration with NDLEA, UNODC, and other stakeholders.
“We believe in the power of partnerships and in the potential of every Nigerian youth to rise above addiction and lead a life of purpose. That is why the MTN Foundation is proud to be part of this national movement for change,” she said.
As the event concluded, participants left with a renewed sense of urgency, commitment, and collaboration. The consensus was clear: prevention works, treatment heals, and partnerships deliver results. United in purpose, Nigeria reaffirmed its resolve to protect its future by confronting the drug abuse crisis head-on with evidence, empathy, and enduring action.
