Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd) have declared that the amendment of the NDLEA Act will boost the war against drug trafficking and abuse.
The two government officials expressed this optimism during the opening ceremony of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug Control meeting held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Abuja.
Fagbemi, in his speech, emphasized the strategic importance of the amended NDLEA Act, currently awaiting President Bola Tinubu’s assent.
Represented by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, the minister noted that the legislative update would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s legal framework to combat substance abuse and drug trafficking.
“The Federal Ministry of Justice has collaborated closely with the NDLEA to ensure our national legal framework supports its operational capacity.
“The amended NDLEA Act will enhance the agency’s ability to tackle the drug menace effectively,” Fagbemi said.
The minister praised the NDLEA’s achievements over the past four years, highlighting increased arrests, seizures, convictions, and the expansion of drug demand reduction efforts via the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy campaign.
He also lauded the work of state governments and civil society organizations for their role in building grassroots drug control structures.
Also, the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd), in his welcome address, reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to deliver on the objectives of the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP 2021–2025), despite budgetary limitations.
“We remain undeterred by funding constraints. The passage of the amended NDLEA Act is a positive development that will boost our capacity, especially in drug supply reduction,” said Marwa.
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He called on stakeholders to intensify their efforts in the final implementation phase of the NDCMP, reaffirming the NDLEA’s commitment to a collaborative, data-driven, and people-centered approach to drug control.
Marwa revealed that the NDLEA had arrested 31,334 drug offenders, secured 6,839 convictions, seized over 4.3 million kilograms of illicit drugs, and destroyed 426.47 hectares of cannabis farms.
Also, he said the agency has counselled and rehabilitated 19,033 individuals, with nationwide sensitization campaigns targeting youth, women, and vulnerable communities.
Also speaking, Akani Ibanga, representing the UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Toure, emphasized the urgency of the drug crisis, citing that Nigeria accounts for 7.5 percent of global drug use disorder cases, with over three million Nigerians affected.
“We must remain guided by evidence and data. The drug challenge in Nigeria is both a public health and a security concern. Continued multi-sectoral collaboration is key to addressing it effectively,” Ibanga stated.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders across ministries, law enforcement agencies, and development partners to evaluate the nation’s progress and reaffirm a united front in Nigeria’s fight against drugs.
