The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its ongoing efforts to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
The assurance was given on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, when the new UNODC Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Cheikh Ousmane Toure, led a delegation of top officials on a courtesy visit to the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), at the agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja.
Acknowledging NDLEA’s leadership role in drug law enforcement across Africa, particularly in West Africa, Toure emphasized the need to extend the agency’s successes at the national level to subnational levels, where drug-related issues significantly contribute to security challenges.
“It is very important for us to re-engage and re-energize the relationship between UNODC and NDLEA. My visit today is to reaffirm our commitment to working together, not just for Nigeria, but for the entire West African sub-region by following NDLEA’s lead,” Toure stated.
He highlighted UNODC’s interest in strengthening capacity-building efforts, ensuring that West African nations benefit from NDLEA’s expertise in combating drug-related crimes.
Marwa identifies key areas of support
In response, Marwa expressed gratitude for UNODC’s longstanding support and expressed confidence that the new leadership would elevate the partnership. He highlighted key areas where additional assistance is needed to enhance NDLEA’s effectiveness.
1. Alternative development programme: Marwa sought UNODC’s support for Nigeria’s pioneering Alternative Development Programme, which provides cannabis farmers with sustainable livelihoods.
2. Drug use survey: Stressing the need for updated data, he called for support in conducting a fresh drug use survey to replace the outdated 2018 report, helping assess current drug prevalence and trends.
3. National drug control master plan (NDCMP): With the current master plan set to expire in 2025, Marwa emphasized the importance of developing a new strategic framework for national drug control.
4. Capacity building & training: Recognizing personnel as the backbone of NDLEA’s success, he requested increased support for training master trainers and expanding capacity-building initiatives.
5. Field test kits: Marwa also highlighted the need for portable drug testing kits to enhance on-the-spot detection of illicit substances.
“We need to sustain our momentum in drug control efforts. With UNODC’s continued support, we can expand our impact and strengthen our fight against drug abuse and trafficking,” Marwa concluded.
The meeting reinforced the strong collaboration between NDLEA and UNODC, setting the stage for more effective interventions in Nigeria’s fight against illicit drugs.
