The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its fight against illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse in Nigeria.
This assurance was given on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, when the new UNODC Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Cheikh Ousmane Toure, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Strengthening Collaboration
Toure commended NDLEA’s leadership in drug law enforcement across Africa, particularly in the West African sub-region. He emphasized the need to extend NDLEA’s successes at the national level to the states, as drug abuse is a major contributor to security challenges at the local level.
“It is very important for us to re-engage and reinvigorate our partnership with NDLEA,” he stated, adding that capacity-building programs for West African member countries should be expanded, allowing nations to share best practices in combating drug-related crimes.
Key Areas for UNODC Support
In response, Marwa expressed gratitude for UNODC’s long-standing support and urged the organization to expand its assistance in key areas, including:
- Alternative Development Programme – The first of its kind in Africa, aimed at providing alternative livelihoods for cannabis farmers.
- Drug Use Survey – Updating the 2018 national survey to assess current drug prevalence and emerging trends.
- National Drug Control Master Plan – Developing a new framework beyond 2025 to guide Nigeria’s anti-drug policies.
- Capacity Building & Training – Expanding training programs to strengthen NDLEA personnel.
- Field Test Kits – Providing portable drug detection tools for on-the-ground operations.
Marwa emphasized that UNODC’s renewed collaboration would significantly enhance Nigeria’s efforts in tackling drug-related challenges, ensuring a safer and more drug-free society.
