As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark the 2025 World Drug Day, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have called for active public and state government participation in the ongoing fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), emphasized that drug abuse prevention requires a collective effort. He stressed that the responsibility should not rest solely on the NDLEA, but must involve families, schools, communities, workplaces, religious institutions, and state governments.
“As we enter another United Nations year focused on prevention, it is vital to stress that shielding our citizens from harmful substances is a collective duty,We will intensify our War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy to further support institutions and groups in raising awareness on the dangers of drug abuse.”Marwa said
This year’s World Drug Day, themed “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention”, will be marked by a series of activities from June 18 to June 26. These included:
A Juma’at service on June 20 at the National Mosque, Abuja
A Walk Against Drug Abuse on June 21 in partnership with MTN Nigeria Foundation and the University of Abuja
A Thanksgiving Service on June 22 at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Wuye
An Essay Competition finale for schoolchildren on June 23 at NDLEA headquarters
Outreach campaigns in markets and motor parks across FCT on June 24 targeting out-of-school youths
A grand finale commemorative event on June 26 at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja
Marwa also highlighted NDLEA’s recent achievements, including the integration of body cameras into field operations, rising arrest and conviction rates, as well as the commissioning of barracks and rehabilitation facilities in Yola, Kano, and soon in Abuja and Lagos.
UNODC Country Representative Cheikh Ousman Toure, represented by Danilo Campisi, echoed Marwa’s call for decentralization of drug prevention strategies. He urged state governments to work closely with the NDLEA to ensure access to evidence-based prevention and treatment programs.
“Stopping drug trafficking requires long-term, coordinated action involving all levels of government,” Campisi said. “Criminal networks thrive on systemic weaknesses and fuel other crimes such as human trafficking and environmental degradation. We must dismantle these chains and invest in prevention and recovery.”
He reaffirmed UNODC’s continued partnership with Nigeria through support for forensic capabilities, border management, regional intelligence sharing, and joint investigations.
The weeklong activities aimed to galvanize public awareness, foster dialogue, and drive nationwide efforts toward combating drug abuse and protecting vulnerable populations.
