President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking through innovative, evidence-based interventions, while commending the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its outstanding achievements in combating the drug menace across the country.
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, President Tinubu said the Federal Government remains determined to eliminate the scourge of illicit drugs through a coordinated strategy anchored on prevention, enforcement, technology and international cooperation.
Speaking on the 2026 theme, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” the President noted that the changing dynamics of drug trafficking demand constant vigilance, innovation and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
He stressed that the impact of drug abuse extends beyond individual users, affecting families, schools, workplaces and national security.
According to him, the Renewed Hope Agenda is addressing the root causes of substance abuse by expanding access to education, promoting skills acquisition, supporting entrepreneurship, creating employment opportunities and implementing social intervention programmes targeted at vulnerable Nigerians.
President Tinubu said government efforts to reduce drug demand must be complemented with stronger measures to disrupt supply chains through improved border security, enhanced surveillance at airports, seaports and land borders, better intelligence gathering and closer collaboration with regional and international law enforcement agencies.
He also underscored the importance of science, technology and reliable data in combating emerging drug threats, noting that stronger forensic laboratories, technological capabilities and research would help authorities detect new psychoactive substances and precursor chemicals while strengthening the criminal justice system to effectively prosecute offenders.
The President paid glowing tribute to NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), and the agency’s officers for their courage, professionalism and dedication.
“I wish to commend the officers, men and leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency under the able leadership of Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd). Their dedication, courage and professionalism have yielded remarkable achievements in both drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts, earning Nigeria recognition and respect across Africa and the international community,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, Marwa reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering resolve against illicit drugs, describing the menace as a major threat to public health, national security, social stability and human development.
He disclosed that the agency had recorded unprecedented operational successes through intelligence-led enforcement, including the dismantling of major international drug syndicates operating across Nigeria.
Among the notable breakthroughs, he highlighted the successful 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.
Marwa also announced the disruption of a sophisticated cross-continental methamphetamine cartel, leading to the arrest of a 63-year-old Nigerian drug kingpin, Innocent Anochili, alongside three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian accomplices.
He further revealed the discovery and dismantling of another industrial-scale clandestine methamphetamine laboratory hidden in Tapa Village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, where a Mexican national and four others were arrested.
Providing a scorecard of the agency’s performance, Marwa disclosed that within the last 18 months, NDLEA arrested 29,262 suspects, seized 5,305,484.88 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs valued at over N1.5 trillion, and secured the conviction of 5,225 offenders.
According to him, the agency has also arrested no fewer than 234 drug barons over the past five years, significantly weakening organised drug trafficking networks operating in the country.
Marwa stressed that enforcement alone cannot solve Nigeria’s drug problem, noting that NDLEA has expanded its Drug Demand Reduction programmes through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.
He said the agency conducted 6,645 sensitisation programmes in schools, worship centres, workplaces, markets, motor parks, communities and correctional facilities, reaching nearly five million Nigerians, while 13,508 drug users received counselling, treatment and rehabilitation across the agency’s 31 rehabilitation centres nationwide.
He also disclosed that NDLEA is strengthening the use of technology, deep-web intelligence gathering and advanced data analytics to detect emerging drug trends while upgrading its forensic and chemical analysis capabilities.
Marwa highlighted the agency’s pioneering Alternative Development Programme, the first of its kind in Africa, aimed at encouraging illicit cannabis farmers to cultivate legitimate crops such as cassava, maize, cocoa and cowpeas as sustainable sources of income.
Delivering the keynote lecture titled “Celebrating Progress and Inspiring Collective Actions Against Drug Abuse,” Professor Oluwatoyin Odeku of the University of Ibadan said the achievements recorded by NDLEA over the past five years deserved celebration, noting that many had previously considered the fight against drug trafficking unwinnable.
Also speaking, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Representative, Chiekh Touré, represented by Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga, commended Nigeria for adopting a balanced and evidence-based approach to drug control while reaffirming UNODC’s commitment to supporting the country’s anti-drug efforts.
The event also featured the presentation of prizes to winners of the NDLEA National Secondary School Essay Competition. Ikpeamachi Jennifer of Federal Government College, Enugu, emerged overall winner, receiving N500,000 and a trophy, while Aliyu Kama of General Murtala Muhammed College, Yola, won N300,000 and Chiagoziem Ikechukwu of Mimshak Academy, Abia State, received N200,000, alongside trophies.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the National Assembly, the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, MTN Foundation, NAFDAC, NACA and other stakeholders, all reaffirming their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
