The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has cautioned that Nigeria is at a critical stage in its fight against illicit drugs, urging authorities to address persistent drug-related challenges while adapting to emerging threats posed by synthetic substances, sophisticated trafficking networks and digital drug markets.
The warning was issued on Friday in Abuja during a joint press briefing by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the UNODC to unveil activities for the 2026 World Drug Day commemoration.
Speaking at the event, the UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Toure, represented by the Deputy Country Representative, Mr. Danielo Campisi, noted that the global drug problem is rapidly evolving, requiring innovative and forward-looking responses from both Nigeria and the international community.
“Nigeria stands at a critical point where it must address long-standing challenges while adapting to new realities,” Campisi said.
He stressed that no single institution can effectively tackle the complexities of the global drug problem in isolation, emphasizing the need for collaboration, shared responsibility and sustained action.
“The problem persists, but it is not insurmountable. The challenges are evolving, but so are our solutions, and our response must be united, informed and forward-looking,” he added.
Campisi reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through evidence-based interventions, innovation, human-centred approaches and strengthened international cooperation aimed at protecting communities from the harmful effects of illicit drugs.
The remarks came as the NDLEA announced a week-long programme of activities to mark this year’s World Drug Day under the theme, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.”
In his address, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), represented by the agency’s Secretary, Mr. Shadrach Haruna, said the theme reflects the changing realities of the global drug landscape, where traditional threats remain prevalent while new challenges continue to emerge in increasingly sophisticated forms.
Marwa stated that the agency had long recognised the limitations of conventional approaches in combating the evolving drug menace and had therefore adopted modern strategies to strengthen its enforcement and preventive capabilities.
According to him, with the support of the Federal Government and development partners, the NDLEA has modernised its operations, expanded public awareness campaigns and embraced technological innovations to enhance its effectiveness.
He highlighted the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, which he said has been repositioned to utilise data-driven approaches, community intelligence and innovative public education tools to protect young Nigerians from substance abuse.
The NDLEA chairman also pointed to recent operational achievements, including the dismantling of major drug trafficking syndicates, the arrest and prosecution of high-profile drug barons, and the seizure of assets linked to illicit drug activities.
“We are not just arresting traffickers; we are liquidating their financial empires. Assets reasonably suspected to be proceeds of drug crimes are aggressively targeted and forfeited to the Federal Government, effectively cutting off the lifeblood of these criminal networks,” he said.
Marwa expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, state governments, international partners and local security agencies for their continued support, stressing that sustained collaboration remains essential to overcoming both existing and emerging drug-related challenges in Nigeria.
