Tinubu Mobilises Nigerians Against Drug Abuse
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for a unified national movement to tackle the growing menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking across the country.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the 2025 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Abuja, Tinubu stressed the urgent need for collective action.
He said the fight must go beyond government institutions and become a movement owned by all Nigerians.
“This war against drug abuse is not for the NDLEA alone or for government institutions. It must be a citizens’ movement. Every community, every religious and traditional institution, every family, and every individual must be involved,” the President stated.
Tinubu noted that the campaign aligns with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and assured continued support through funding, policy, and community-based partnerships.
He said the country must confront the crisis as a shared responsibility in order to protect future generations.
Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.), revealed that the agency has arrested over 66,000 offenders, including 94 drug barons, seized more than 11.1 million kilograms of illicit substances, and secured 12,201 convictions since January 2021.
Marwa also announced that over 26,000 individuals had undergone counselling and rehabilitation, with seven new drug treatment centres under construction across the country.
He described drug prevention as a national security priority, noting the link between drug abuse and rising insecurity.
He highlighted that the NDLEA has carried out over 11,000 sensitization activities through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative across schools, markets, churches, mosques, and other public spaces.
President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to international cooperation and praised partners such as the UNODC, DEA, and UK Border Force for their ongoing support. He called for a compassionate and strategic approach, emphasizing that addiction should be treated as a health issue, not a moral failure.
The event concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders across sectors to strengthen enforcement, expand rehabilitation, and intensify grassroots awareness to stem the tide of drug abuse in Nigeria.
