The federal government on Wednesday vowed to dismantle drug trafficking cartels, preventing substance abuse and expanding access to treatment and rehabilitation as part of efforts to protect Nigerians from the growing drug menace.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, gave the assurance at the National Drug Use Summit in Abuja, where he said the Tinubu administration remains committed to initiatives aimed at curbing illicit drug use and promoting public health.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Adamu Kana, Akume said no nation could attain sustainable development if its youths were trapped by drug abuse and addiction.
He said the Tinubu administration is focused on building resilient communities, promoting mental health, empowering young people and strengthening institutions responsible for tackling substance abuse and drug trafficking.
According to him, the summit provides an opportunity for stakeholders to deepen collaboration and develop a coordinated strategy towards a healthier and safer Nigeria.
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The summit with the theme: “Addressing Illicit Drug Use and Trafficking: A Call to National Action,” is jointly 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).
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd.), said the gathering is convened to mobilise national action against the country’s growing drug problem through collaboration among government institutions, communities, families, development partners, civil society, religious leaders and the media.
Marwa said while the agency has recorded notable successes in reducing both drug supply and demand, the scale of the challenge required a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
He disclosed that in the last 18 months, the NDLEA arrested 29,262 suspects, seized 5,305,484.88 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs valued at over N1.5 trillion and secured the conviction of 5,225 offenders.
The NDLEA boss added that the agency conducted 6,645 drug prevention and awareness campaigns across schools, markets, worship centres, correctional facilities and communities, reaching nearly five million Nigerians.
He also said 13,508 drug users received counselling, treatment and rehabilitation at the agency’s 31 rehabilitation centres nationwide within the same period.
Marwa noted that the agency has also launched an alternative development initiative to support cannabis growers in transitioning to legitimate cash crop farming and other sustainable livelihoods.
He expressed confidence that stronger partnerships and sustained commitment would significantly reduce the burden of drug abuse in the country.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, urged stakeholders to ensure the summit produced measurable outcomes rather than mere resolutions.
He said success should be measured by fewer young people taking drugs, more patients recovering from addiction and more families being restored.
Pate assured participants that the Federal Ministry of Health would continue to provide leadership and coordinate efforts to tackle substance abuse.
Also speaking, the UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Toure, represented by Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga, described the summit as a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to confronting drug abuse through coordinated and evidence-based interventions.
He said the evolving nature of drug use in the country demanded urgent and practical action, stressing the need to translate commitments under the National Drug Control Master Plan into measurable results.
The summit attracted participants from ministries, departments and agencies, security services, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
