President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for a collective action to strengthen the fight against drug abuse.
The Nigerian leader represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume made the call during the 2025 World Drug Day commemoration in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
President Tinubu called on families, religious leaders, civil society groups, youth organizations, and people with lived experiences to join hands in combating the growing crisis. He emphasized the need for collective responsibility in addressing the deeper roots of the issue, which he tied to poverty, inequality, violence, and conflict.
He cited recent empowerment schemes, such as the student loan program and youth-focused initiatives, as part of the country’s broader strategy to uplift communities and reduce vulnerabilities that fuel drug abuse.
The President praised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and its leadership under Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) for their achievements in both supply and demand reduction of drugs.
Marwa, in his remarks, stressed the urgent need to take drug use prevention seriously. He pointed out that Nigeria once had one of the highest drug abuse rates globally and that addressing the crisis requires sustained preventive action. As of today, Nigeria’s large youth population remains at risk, and parents, teachers, and leaders must remain vigilant.
To effectively prevent drug abuse, Marwa noted, the supply pipeline must also be disrupted. In the past four and a half years, the agency has arrested over 66,000 offenders, including 94 identified drug barons. More than 11 million kilograms of illicit substances have been seized, and over 12,000 convictions have been secured.
