2O25 World Drug Day: FG Urges Collective Action to Curtail Drug Abuse Menaces in Nigeria

By Toffa Momoh, Abuja

As the world commemoraetes the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a strong call for increased investment in drug prevention strategies, urging communities and stakeholders to rally behind efforts to curb substance abuse.

At a ministerial press briefing held on Thursdsy at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare headquarters in Abuja, officials underscored the urgent need for collaboration across sectors.

The event, themed “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention!” highlighted Nigeria’s rising drug challenge and government-backed interventions.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms. Daju Kachollom mni, the Director of Food and Drug Services, Pharmacist Olubunmi Aribeana, described drug abuse as a multi-faceted threat affecting public health, security, and national development.

Quoting the 2018 National Drug Use Survey, she noted that over 14.6 million Nigerians had used drugs like cannabis and tramadol for non-medical purposes — one of the highest rates in West Africa.

“This is more than a statistic; it is a wake-up call for us all,” she said. “Nigeria cannot afford to ignore the devastating consequences of drug abuse. We must act, and we must act together.”

The briefing outlined plans for a national drug summit to foster inclusive dialogue and strategic planning. Aribeana also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to expanding Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), a proven intervention piloted in selected states, in partnership with the UNODC, WHO, NDLEA, and civil society.

Also speaking, Pharmacist Henrietta Bakura-Onyeneke, Director of Narcotics & Drugs Division, stressed the need for stigma-free, community-based prevention and harm reduction programmes, including needle exchange services and mental health support.

Dr. Alex Gasasiri, WHO Country Representative, lauded Nigeria’s health response, pointing to the establishment of 11 model drug addiction treatment centres and targeted interventions for comorbidities such as HIV, hepatitis, and mental health conditions.

The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), through its Global Fund-backed N-THRIP programme, echoed the need for an integrated, rights-based approach. “We’re not just tackling drug use; we’re addressing the full spectrum of related health and social issues,” IHVN stated.

The briefing is part of a week-long series of activities culminating in a grand finale at the State House Conference Centre on 26 June, in collaboration with the NDLEA and other partners.

As Nigeria joins the global community in observance, the message is clear: prevention is not just a strategy — it is an investment in the nation’s future.