The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to combating illicit drug use, dismantling drug trafficking networks, expanding access to treatment and rehabilitation, and protecting the well-being of Nigerians.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, gave the assurance on Wednesday at the opening of the National Drug Use Summit in Abuja, themed “Addressing Illicit Drug Use and Trafficking: A Call to National Action.”

The summit was jointly organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Adamu Ibrahim Kana, Akume said the Tinubu administration remained committed to preventing drug abuse, dismantling trafficking networks and strengthening rehabilitation services under its Renewed Hope Agenda.

“No nation can achieve sustainable development when its young population is threatened by drug abuse and addiction. No society can attain lasting peace and prosperity when criminal networks engaged in illicit trafficking continue to undermine its institutions and exploit its vulnerabilities,” he said.
He described the summit as a timely platform to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, development partners, communities and other stakeholders in tackling Nigeria’s growing drug challenge.

In his welcome address, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), said the summit was convened to mobilise national action against illicit drug use and substance abuse through coordinated and evidence-based interventions.
According to him, no single institution can effectively address Nigeria’s drug problem, stressing that the challenge requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving families, communities, religious and traditional leaders, civil society, development partners and the media.

Marwa disclosed that the agency recorded 29,262 arrests over the past 18 months, leading to the seizure of 5.3 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs valued at more than ₦1.5 trillion and the conviction of 5,225 offenders.
He added that the agency conducted 6,645 drug abuse prevention and awareness programmes across schools, markets, worship centres, motor parks, workplaces, correctional facilities and communities, reaching nearly five million Nigerians.

The NDLEA chairman also said 13,508 people received counselling, treatment and rehabilitation at the agency’s 31 rehabilitation centres nationwide during the same period.
Marwa further highlighted the agency’s Alternative Development Initiative for cannabis growers, which seeks to transition cultivators from illicit cannabis production to legitimate cash crop farming and other sustainable livelihoods.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, urged participants to ensure the summit delivers measurable outcomes rather than ending with resolutions alone.
“The measure of this summit will not be the communiqué. It will be the number of young people who choose not to start drugs, the number of patients who recover, and the number of families restored,” he said.

Also speaking, the UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Toure, represented by Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga, described the summit as a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to addressing the country’s evolving drug challenge through coordinated, evidence-based action.
He called for renewed commitment to implementing the National Drug Control Master Plan, stressing the need to translate policy commitments into practical and measurable results.

The summit attracted representatives of government ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, security agencies, civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations.