President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for urgent, coordinated national action to combat the rising threat of drug abuse in Nigeria, describing it as a shared responsibility that demands the engagement of every sector of society. Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, during the 2025 World Drug Day commemoration in Abuja on June 26, Tinubu urged families, faith-based organizations, civil society, youth groups, and people with lived experiences to work together in addressing the root causes of addiction—including poverty, inequality, conflict, and lack of opportunity.
He highlighted recent government initiatives aimed at addressing socioeconomic drivers of drug abuse, such as the student loan scheme, the Renewed Hope Agenda, and youth-targeted empowerment programs designed to reduce vulnerability among young people. The President commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its continued success under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), citing its dual strategy of reducing both drug supply and demand.
In his address, Marwa warned that Nigeria’s youthful population remains particularly exposed to the threat of drug abuse and emphasized the importance of prevention over cure. He revealed that Nigeria previously ranked among countries with the highest drug use prevalence globally, and only a comprehensive, multi-layered approach can reverse the trend. According to NDLEA figures, the agency has arrested over 66,000 individuals in the past four and a half years—including 94 major drug barons—seized more than 11 million kilograms of narcotics, and secured over 12,000 convictions.
Marwa also advocated for more investment in drug education, rehabilitation centers, and policies to address mental health as part of an all-encompassing national strategy to tackle the epidemic. The 2025 World Drug Day, themed “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention”, served as a rallying point for renewed commitment at all levels to prevent drug abuse and support recovery in affected communities.
