President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to join the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, declaring that the battle must evolve into a national movement beyond government efforts.
He made the declaration at the Presidential Villa Conference Centre in Abuja during the grand finale of the 2025 World Drug Day (WDD) commemoration.
Delivering his keynote address through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, President Tinubu stressed the importance of grassroots involvement in tackling Nigeria’s growing drug crisis.
“This fight is not one for governments alone. It must be a national movement—driven by families, faith leaders, civil society, youth groups, community leaders, businesses, and people with lived experience. Their voices matter. Their stories inspire,” Tinubu stated.
The President highlighted the link between drug abuse and systemic challenges such as poverty, inequality, violence, and conflict, calling for a comprehensive, rights-based approach anchored in peace, inclusive development, and human dignity.
Tinubu commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), led by Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), for what he described as “globally acclaimed successes.” These include: 66,085 arrests, including 94 drug barons; 11.1 million kilograms of seized illicit substances; 12,201 convictions in drug-related cases; 26,393 individuals rehabilitated over 53 months
“These achievements have not only attracted international commendation but also strengthened Nigeria’s partnerships in the global war against drugs,” the President added.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to reducing socio-economic vulnerabilities fueling drug abuse through programmes like the student loan scheme (NELFUND) and Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative.
In his address, NDLEA Chairman Marwa emphasized prevention as the most urgent solution to Nigeria’s drug abuse epidemic, noting that the country once ranked among nations with the highest prevalence of drug use.
“With a population exceeding 230 million, we must stop new individuals from joining the growing population of drug users. This begins at home—with parents, teachers, and communities,” Marwa said.
He outlined the agency’s flagship campaign, War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), which has: Conducted 11,123 sensitisation programs across schools, worship centers, motor parks, markets and communities; Reached millions through weekly media outreach; Provided round-the-clock psycho-social support through NDLEA’s 24/7 toll-free helpline: 080010203040
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Marwa also announced that seven new rehabilitation centres have been approved under the 2025 budget, expanding access to treatment across Nigeria. Currently, NDLEA operates 30 active centres, with tens of thousands benefitting from counseling and reintegration support.
He warned, however, that prevention efforts must be matched by supply disruption.
“We must shut down the pipeline through which these harmful substances are distributed. We must remove traffickers from the equation.”
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, echoed Tinubu’s message, saying drug abuse is a threat to national security and social stability.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, described the drug war as a “war of necessity”, adding, “Every life lost to addiction is a failure of our collective will.”
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also weighed in. Country Representative Cheikh Ousmane Toure called prevention, treatment and recovery “life-saving investments”, urging global and national collaboration to break the cycle of drug abuse, organized crime, and marginalization.