Lateef fagbemi

By Chibuike Nwabuko

ABUJA (PRECISE POST)  –   As Nigeria joins the rest of the globe to celebrate this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu has called for urgent and coordinated national action to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

President Tinubu who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume,  described this year’s theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” as a wake-up call to governments and communities to take decisive steps in addressing a crisis that is “destroying lives, devastating families, and undermining national security.”

He emphasized that Nigeria, like many other countries, is witnessing the brutal impact of substance abuse on its youth, families, and health systems. “Lives are lost, potential is wasted, and the ripple effects of drug use travel across generations,” Akume warned. He added that drug abuse is not just a health issue, but a significant social and economic threat that requires compassion, strategic coordination, and a focus on the nation’s most vulnerable—its youth.

Amid the grim statistics, Akume expressed hope in the strength of communities coming together. He called on all levels of government, civil society, and families to ensure that the road to recovery and redemption is accessible to all. “Our response must be holistic,” he said, stressing that prevention is the most powerful defense—through education, early intervention, and youth empowerment initiatives that steer young people away from drugs and toward meaningful lives.

While highlighting the need for robust prevention strategies, Akume also underscored the importance of access to treatment and rehabilitation. “We must guarantee that drug dependence is treated as a health issue, not a moral failing,” he said. He urged continued investment in school-based programs, community outreach, and support services to build a healthier, drug-resilient Nigeria.

Also in her address,  the Chairman of the MTN Foundation, Dr. Mrs Mosun Belo-Olusoga has emphasized the urgent need for greater investment in drug prevention efforts, particularly among Nigerian youth.

Dr. Belo-Olusoga  who aligned her remarks with this year’s global theme: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention”, notied that the surge in the use and distribution of psychoactive substances among young people demands a united national response.

“Youth development is one of the core pillars of our Foundation,” she said. “Through the Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP), we have consistently raised awareness via social media, community outreach, and strategic partnerships with institutions like the NDLEA and the UNODC.”

Since its inception in 2019, the ASAP initiative has reached millions of Nigerians. The Foundation’s multi-pronged approach includes school-based interventions, stakeholder engagements, and collaborations with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Notably, over 86,000 students and more than 1,400 teachers from 144 public schools in 12 states have benefited from their programs.

Dr. Belo-Olusoga also highlighted advocacy walks in Abuja, Enugu, Kano, and Lagos, as well as the Foundation’s support for the NDLEA’s 24/7 toll-free psychosocial support helpline for young people dealing with substance abuse issues.

Quoting Nigerian businesswoman Ibukun Awosika — “When you are pursuing your dreams and trying to leave a legacy, you will find help” — she expressed gratitude to the Foundation’s partners, including the NDLEA, UNODC, and members of the media, for their continued support in the fight against drug abuse.

“This is a fight for all of us,” Dr. Belo-Olusoga concluded. “Together, we can build resilient communities and safeguard the future of our youth.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), has issued a dire warning over Nigeria’s spiraling drug crisis, linking widespread drug abuse directly to terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime.

Speaking at the event, 9thMarwa stressed that over 90% of violent crimes are committed by drug-influenced individuals, describing the crisis as a “national emergency.”

Drawing from grim global and national statistics, Marwa revealed that drug use has skyrocketed, with over 290 million users worldwide and an alarming 14.3 million drug users in Nigeria alone—figures that surpass entire national populations. “Cannabis users alone number 10.6 million in Nigeria. That’s more than the population of many countries,” he said. He urged urgent investment in prevention, warning that drug use in Africa could surge by 40% by 2030 if left unchecked.

Marwa painted a disturbing picture of new trends in drug abuse, including the use of highly potent substances like fentanyl, Bucha, and amphetamines, as well as alarming youth behavior such as “Yahoo Yahoo plus” rituals. He cited a recent case of a well-off teenager expelled from a private university for using drugs and borrowing money for fraudulent rituals, challenging the notion that drug abuse is confined to the poor or uneducated. “No child is immune,” he declared, emphasizing the need for intentional parenting and stronger societal involvement.

To combat this growing threat, the NDLEA has intensified efforts through campaigns like War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) and initiatives such as Save Our Families (SOF). Over 11,000 sensitization programs have been launched nationwide, and 26,000 individuals have received rehabilitation in just 18 months. Plans are underway to build 37 drug rehabilitation centers, one in each state and the FCT. The agency has also launched drug test kits for homes and institutions to catch early signs of drug use.

Marwa concluded by affirming the need for sustained collaboration between the NDLEA, government agencies, global partners, and the public. He reported over 66,000 arrests, including major drug lords, and 12,000 convictions, with millions of kilograms of drugs seized. Thanking partners including the UN, US, UK, and EU, he urged: “Let us renew our resolve to intensify prevention, because only through united action can we stop this deadly tide.”

Precise Post recalls that other dignitaries who graced the occasio were, Senate President Godswill Akpabio – ably represented by Sen Dankwambo, Speaker House of Representatives also represented, Athorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Mohammed Ali Pate, Chief Justice of the Feferation Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun,  Service Chiefs, former Athorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and others.