The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has revealed that more than three million Nigerians are currently suffering from drug use disorders, warning that the country’s drug prevalence rate—now at 14.4 per cent—is nearly three times the global average.

UNODC Country Representative Cheikh Ousman Toure delivered the message through the Deputy Head of the UNODC in Nigeria, Danilo Campisi, during an event at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) headquarters in Abuja to mark the commencement of the 2025 World Drug Day activities.

According to Campisi, the rise in drug abuse—particularly opioids such as tramadol—is more than a public health issue. “It is not just a health crisis; it is a development, security, and peace-building concern,” he said.

UNODC also warned that the growing drug problem is closely linked with other forms of organised crime. The organisation cited connections between drug trafficking and human trafficking, illegal mining, environmental degradation, and the funding of extremist violence.

Campisi emphasized that state governments must take a more active role in addressing the crisis.

“The state governments must be actively involved in drug control efforts, working with NDADA and other relevant entities to ensure the availability of evidence-based prevention and treatment programs in their states,” he said.

He praised the NDLEA for its efforts but noted that government commitment alone would not be enough without community involvement. “Prevention, treatment, and recovery are not luxuries. They are life-saving investments,” he said. “Together, we can break these vicious circles of drug abuse, organised crime, and marginalisation.”

The UNODC pledged continued support for Nigeria in building a health-based and rights-focused strategy to drug use, in collaboration with civil society organisations and government partners.

NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, who also spoke at the event, called on Nigerians to participate actively in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking. “This is a collective responsibility. Shielding our citizens, especially the youth, from the grip of harmful substances must not be left to government alone,” he said.

World Drug Day is marked annually to raise awareness of the global drug problem and to promote action toward strengthening international cooperation and local responses to drug-related challenges.