President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to tackling substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking through innovative, evidence-based interventions, while commending the leadership and personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for their outstanding achievements in the fight against drug crimes.
Represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), at the grand finale of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Abuja on Friday, the President said his administration remains committed to addressing both the demand and supply sides of the drug problem under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking on the theme, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” Tinubu noted that the evolving nature of illicit drug trafficking requires stronger collaboration, intelligence gathering, technological innovation and coordinated action among national and international partners.
He said the Federal Government is expanding access to education, skills development, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities while strengthening border security, surveillance at ports and airports, forensic laboratories, and the criminal justice system to combat drug-related crimes.
The President also lauded the NDLEA under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.) for recording increased arrests, seizures, convictions, rehabilitation efforts and the dismantling of major drug trafficking syndicates, including operators of Nigeria’s largest methamphetamine laboratories.
He called on parents, schools, religious and traditional leaders, the media, private sector and civil society organisations to support government efforts in protecting young Nigerians from substance abuse.
Earlier, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), disclosed that the agency seized 5,305,484.88 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs valued at over ₦1.5 trillion within the last 18 months.
Marwa said the agency also arrested 29,262 suspects, secured 5,225 convictions, counselled and rehabilitated 13,508 drug users, and conducted 6,645 drug prevention campaigns that reached nearly five million Nigerians.
He highlighted several major operational breakthroughs, including the dismantling of the notorious Amadi Simon drug cartel through collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA) and law enforcement agencies from Greece, France and Switzerland.
The NDLEA boss also announced the disruption of an international methamphetamine cartel involving a 63-year-old Nigerian drug baron, three Mexican nationals and several accomplices, as well as the discovery and destruction of another clandestine meth laboratory in Oyo State.
Marwa said the agency had arrested over 234 drug barons in the past five years, describing the achievements as evidence that Nigeria is winning the fight against organised drug trafficking.
He added that the agency is strengthening deep-web intelligence gathering, advanced data analytics, forensic capabilities and implementing Africa’s first Alternative Development Programme, aimed at encouraging illicit cannabis farmers to cultivate legal cash crops such as cassava, maize, cocoa and cowpeas.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Professor Oluwatoyin Odeku of the University of Ibadan said the successes recorded by the NDLEA over the past five years demonstrate that sustained political will and coordinated action can significantly reduce drug-related crimes.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also commended Nigeria’s balanced approach to drug control, pledging continued technical support to strengthen evidence-based interventions.
The event also featured the presentation of prizes to winners of the NDLEA National Secondary School Essay Competition, with Ikpeamachi Jennifer of Federal Government College, Enugu, emerging overall winner and receiving a ₦500,000 cash prize and trophy.
