International partners including the European Union, UNODC, and ECOWAS have pledged support for Nigeria’s fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking over the next five years. The commitment was made at the opening of a two-day National Drug Control Master Plan Consultative Forum organized by the NDLEA in Abuja on May 18, 2026. EU Deputy Head Zissimos Vergos said Nigeria’s stability and Europe’s security are linked, stressing that drug trafficking is a transnational challenge requiring a joint response. He commended NDLEA’s dedication and said the EU would partner to turn the new roadmap into tangible progress for Nigeria, West Africa, and beyond.
UNODC Country Representative Chiekh Ousmane Touré highlighted the growing threat of synthetic drugs and sophisticated trafficking networks, urging a data-driven, forward-looking master plan. He reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to support Nigeria through law enforcement capacity building, demand reduction, prevention, treatment, and stronger international cooperation. NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) warned against complacency, citing UNODC projections of a 40% rise in drug use across Africa by 2030 and West Africa’s role as a key corridor for cocaine trafficking. He said the new plan adds two pillars: alternative development and sustainable livelihoods, and disrupting illicit drug economies through financial intelligence.
ECOWAS Commissioner Daniel Amankwaah said Nigeria’s master plan feeds into regional strategies and pledged the bloc’s continued backing during both development and implementation. Minister of State for Education Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad called for a holistic, multi-sectoral approach involving education, healthcare, law enforcement, and community engagement. Marwa urged participants to think boldly and produce a roadmap that offers hope for a safer, healthier Nigeria, stressing that the drug crisis affects homes, schools, and streets across the country.
