Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on state governments to implement grassroots-based strategies to curb the rising issue of drug abuse and trafficking, aligning efforts with the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP). Represented by Hajiya Laila Jibrin Barau, wife of the Deputy Senate President, at a workshop held by the NDLEA for the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF) in Abuja on May 6, 2025, she emphasized the importance of addressing the crisis from the community level.
Senator Tinubu praised NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), for his impactful leadership in tackling drug-related issues. She noted the urgency of the situation, citing how drug use has infiltrated every aspect of society, posing a major threat to children’s health and the nation’s future.
She stressed the need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach involving enforcement, education, family support, and rehabilitation. She encouraged governors’ spouses to become advocates for change, using their influence and the training provided to create practical, collaborative solutions in their states.
Marwa, in his remarks, revealed that in 51 months, NDLEA had arrested over 62,000 suspects, including 68 drug barons, secured more than 11,000 convictions, and destroyed over 1,300 hectares of cannabis farms. He highlighted the agency’s strategy of reducing both the supply and demand for drugs through awareness and rehabilitation programs. Between January 2021 and March 2025, 24,375 individuals received treatment, and over 10,000 awareness campaigns reached nearly four million Nigerians.
Marwa urged states to activate and support State Drug Control Committees (SDCCs), stressing that community-level action is key to winning the drug war. UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Ousmane Toure, echoed this sentiment, advocating for state-level funding, community drop-in centres, and evidence-based local programmes.
Toure reminded the First Ladies of their influence, stating, “When you act, communities follow.” Similarly, ECOWAS representative Dr. Daniel Amankwaah urged sustainable, community-driven responses. The workshop concluded with expert-led technical sessions on effective prevention and treatment strategies.
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