International partners including the European Union (EU), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have pledged continued support for Nigeria’s fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking under the proposed National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) 2026–2030.
The commitment was made during the opening of a two-day NDCMP Consultative Forum organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Abuja on Monday.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Zissimos Vergos, described drug trafficking as a transnational challenge requiring collective action.
He said Nigeria’s stability and Europe’s security were interconnected, stressing that the EU remained committed to partnering with Nigeria in implementing the new drug control roadmap.
“Our presence here today is that of partners who have walked this uphill and rough road ourselves,” Vergos said.
He commended the NDLEA leadership and personnel for their dedication, noting that the master plan would help save lives, secure communities, and promote a safer future for Nigeria and beyond.
Also speaking, UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Chiekh Ousmane Touré, warned that the global drug landscape was rapidly evolving due to the rise of synthetic drugs, advanced trafficking networks, and digital platforms used by criminal groups.
According to him, Nigeria sits at the centre of these emerging threats, making it critical for the country to adopt a comprehensive, data-driven, and adaptable strategy.
Touré reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through technical assistance, law enforcement capacity building, prevention programmes, and international cooperation.
“As we look ahead, we see this master plan as an opportunity to deepen impact, strengthen data systems, and reinforce institutions across all levels of governance,” he stated.
In his remarks, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, cautioned against complacency despite the agency’s achievements in recent years.
Marwa cited projections by UNODC indicating a 40 per cent increase in drug use across Africa by 2030, while reports from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime identified West Africa as a major cocaine trafficking corridor between Latin America and Europe.
He said Nigeria’s drug environment was becoming increasingly complicated due to the proliferation of synthetic substances, abuse of prescription drugs, emergence of new psychoactive substances, and the growing use of encrypted digital platforms by traffickers.
“As Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, Nigeria cannot afford to be a passive observer,” Marwa said.
He explained that the proposed 2026–2030 master plan introduces new pillars focusing on alternative development, sustainable livelihoods, and disruption of illicit drug economies through financial intelligence.
The NDLEA boss urged stakeholders at the forum to think boldly and develop innovative solutions that would strengthen the nation’s drug control framework over the next five years.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Dr. Daniel Amankwaah, said the Nigerian master plan was important to the regional bloc because it would provide guidance for other member states.
He assured that ECOWAS would continue supporting Nigeria, not only in developing the plan but also during implementation.
Similarly, Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, commended the NDLEA for its professionalism and proactive efforts in tackling drug abuse and trafficking.
She stressed the need for a holistic and multi-sectoral approach involving education, healthcare, law enforcement, and community participation to address the root causes of substance abuse.
Other dignitaries at the forum included representatives of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics and the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
