International partners, including the European Union (EU), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), have assured Nigeria of continued support in its efforts to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking over the next five years.

The assurance was given during the opening session of a two-day National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) Consultative Forum organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Abuja on Monday, May 18, 2026.

Delivering the EU goodwill message, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Zissimos Vergos, expressed the union’s readiness to support Nigeria’s ongoing drug control efforts.

“Our presence here today is that of partners who have walked this uphill and rough road ourselves, and we continue doing that. We have learned valuable lessons from them, and we believe deeply that Nigeria’s stability and Europe’s security are inseparable,” he said.

“What affects the youth of Maiduguri or the streets of Ibadan does not stay within Nigerian borders. Drug trafficking is a transnational challenge, and the master plan laid before this forum is Nigeria’s contribution to a transnational response.”

According to him, Nigeria possesses the talent, institutions, and experience needed to overcome the challenge.

“What we have today is a roadmap, a new roadmap. We in the European Union are here as partners to build it together. We owe this to every Nigerian family that has been touched by addiction, trafficking, grief, or the quiet despair of watching someone they love lose themselves. The same applies to every European family,” he added.

Vergos further noted that the EU had updated its own drug strategy and action plan, with stronger international cooperation as one of its major pillars.

He also commended the leadership and personnel of NDLEA for their dedication and commitment.

Similarly, the UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Chiekh Ousmane Touré, said the world was witnessing a significant shift in the global drug landscape, particularly with the rise of synthetic drugs, sophisticated trafficking networks, and the increasing use of technology to expand illicit markets.

“Nigeria stands at the intersection of this. This underscores the urgency of developing a master plan that is comprehensive, balanced, data-driven, forward-looking, and adaptable to emerging threats,” he stated.

Touré reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through strengthened law enforcement capacity, evidence-based prevention and treatment, and enhanced international cooperation.

“As we look ahead, we see this master plan as an opportunity to deepen impact, strengthen data systems, reinforce institutions across all levels of governance, and ensure that the response is people-centred, inclusive, and sustainable,” he said.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), in his welcome remarks, warned that despite the successes recorded over the past five years, Nigeria must not become complacent in the face of evolving drug threats.

According to him, projections by the UNODC indicate a 40 per cent rise in drug use across Africa by 2030, while reports from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) confirm that West Africa remains a major corridor for cocaine trafficking between Latin America and Europe.

“Our drug landscape is becoming increasingly complex as we battle the surge of synthetic substances and prescription drug abuse, the rise of poly-drug use and New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), as well as the digitalisation of the drug trade through encrypted platforms and dark web operations,” Marwa said

He noted that as Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, Nigeria could not afford to remain passive.

“The risks to our youth, workforce, and national security are too high. This forum is therefore our battle room for the next five years,” he stated.

Marwa explained that the new NDCMP 2026–2030 introduces two critical pillars: Alternative Development and Sustainable Livelihoods, aimed at addressing the socio-economic drivers of the drug trade, and disrupting illicit drug economies through financial intelligence.

He urged participants to think boldly and propose innovative solutions capable of strengthening Nigeria’s drug control framework.

Also speaking at the event, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Dr. Daniel Amankwaah, described Nigeria’s master plan as crucial to the regional body

“The Nigerian master plan is important to the ECOWAS Commission because it provides content that guides some of our member states. We are happy that the support we gave NDLEA has been well utilised and the results are visible,” he said.

He assured that ECOWAS would continue to support Nigeria, not only in developing the plan but also during implementation.

Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, also commended NDLEA for its sustained professionalism and proactive approach in combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

She stressed the need for a holistic and multi-sectoral strategy involving education, healthcare, law enforcement, community engagement, and social support systems.

“The agency’s efforts in advocacy, enforcement, rehabilitation, and stakeholders’ collaboration continue to make meaningful impact in protecting communities and restoring hope to affected individuals and families,” she said.

The minister urged participants at the forum to contribute practical recommendations that would strengthen Nigeria’s drug control framework and guarantee sustainable outcomes for future generations.

Other dignitaries at the event included Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea, represented by Sir Sebastian Ukpokoloh, and Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by Robinson Okechi.