Marwa Warns Against Complacency as EU, UNODC, ECOWAS Back Nigeria’s New Drug Control Plan

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, has warned that Nigeria cannot afford to be complacent in the face of evolving drug trafficking and substance abuse threats across Africa.

Opening the two-day National Drug Control Master Plan Consultative Forum in Abuja, Marwa said projections by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime indicate that drug use in Africa could rise by 40 percent by 2030, while West Africa continues to serve as a major transit corridor for cocaine trafficking between Latin America and Europe.

The NDLEA boss noted that Nigeria’s drug landscape is becoming increasingly dangerous with the rise of synthetic substances, prescriptiondrug abuse, poly-drug use, and digitally coordinated drug trafficking networks operating through encrypted platforms and the dark web.

According to him, the 2026–2030 National Drug Control Master Plan is designed to confront these emerging threats through stronger law enforcement strategies, alternative development initiatives, and disruption of illicit drug economies using financial intelligence tools.

Marwa urged stakeholders at the forum to think boldly and develop innovative solutions capable of protecting communities and securing the future of the country’s youth.

International partners at the event, including the European Union, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the Economic Community of West African States, pledged continued support for Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign over the next five years.

Speaking at the forum, Deputy Head of theEuropean Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos, described drug trafficking as a transnational threat requiring stronger international collaboration.

Vergos said the European Union remains committed to partnering with Nigeria to tackle trafficking, addiction, and organized crime, noting that Nigeria’s stability is closely linked to Europe’s security.

Also speaking, UNODC Country Representative, Chiekh Ousmane Touré, said the global drug trade is undergoing a dangerous transformation driven by synthetic drugs, sophisticated trafficking syndicates, and technology-enabled illicit markets.

He assured that the UN agency would continue to provide technical support and global expertise to strengthen Nigeria’s drug control efforts.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Daniel Amankwaah,commended NDLEA for effectively utilizing regional support and pledged sustained collaboration during the implementation of the new master plan.

Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Said Ahmad, also praised the NDLEA’s advocacy, enforcement, and rehabilitation efforts, calling for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address the root causes of substance abuse in Nigeria.