Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has called on all Nigerians to join the fight against drug abuse and trafficking, describing it as a national movement beyond government efforts. Tinubu made the call during his keynote speech at the 2025 World Drug Day event on Thursday at the State House, Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the President, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, stressed the need for collective national action. “This fight is not for governments alone. It must be a movement led by families, faith leaders, civil society, youth groups, and communities,” Tinubu said. He highlighted the importance of involving people with lived experience, noting that their stories inspire and their leadership is crucial.
Tinubu pointed out that drug abuse is linked to poverty, inequality, violence, and conflict, and emphasized the necessity of addressing these issues comprehensively. “We must foster peace, promote inclusive development, and protect human rights at every stage,” he stated. He reaffirmed that tackling root causes like poverty and conflict is key to curbing drug abuse.
The President pledged Nigeria’s commitment to international efforts against illicit drug trafficking and abuse. “Together, we can dismantle systems sustaining this crisis and build a future of prevention, treatment, and celebrated recovery,” he added. Tinubu mentioned that his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda has prioritized drug control over the past two years.
He praised NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.), for his global success in disrupting drug networks. Earlier, Marwa warned of the urgency of prevention due to Nigeria’s high abuse rate and youthful population. He recalled a 2018 survey that exposed Nigeria’s alarmingly high drug abuse prevalence. “With over 230 million people, prevention is now a pragmatic national priority,” Marwa said, urging parents and community leaders to protect children from exposure to illicit substances.
Marwa highlighted that drug experimentation cuts across all social and economic backgrounds and disproportionately affects young people. He noted that the NDLEA is intensifying prevention and supply-reduction strategies nationwide, emphasizing the need to address socio-economic factors that drive drug abuse to achieve lasting progress. He revealed that the agency has made significant arrests and seizures across the country, with 66,085 suspects, including 94 drug barons, apprehended, and over 11 million kilogrammes of drugs seized. Marwa added that over 12,000 convictions have been secured, with some traffickers receiving life sentences.
UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Toure, stressed that prevention and recovery must be national priorities, describing them as life-saving investments that break the cycle of abuse, crime, and marginalisation. Attorney General and Justice Minister, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, warned that drug abuse threatens public health and national security, and trafficking and organized crime undermine the rule of law and endanger youths’ futures.
The event was attended by representatives of NDLEA, security agencies, academia, diplomats, and traditional leaders. World Drug Day is observed globally every June 26 to promote action against drug abuse and trafficking.
