NDLEA Key to Africa’s Drug Control Plan, Says AU Commission

…Marwa Raises Alarm Over Projected 40% Rise in Drug Use Prevalence on the Continent

The African Union Commission has affirmed the pivotal role of Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the formulation of a new continental framework for drug control and crime prevention, saying any effective strategy will be incomplete without the Agency’s contributions.

This was stated on Monday, 30th June 2025, during an official assessment visit to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja by a three-member AU delegation led by Dr Olubusayo Akinola, Head of Social Welfare, Drug Control and Crime Prevention at the AU Commission.

She was accompanied by Dr Abiola Olaleye, Senior Drug Epidemiology and Research Officer, and Professor Johan Strijdom, Senior Drug Control Consultant.

The visit was part of a broader evaluation of the African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention (2019–2025), with the aim of shaping a successor plan for the period 2026 to 2030.

“We’re here to understand the status of implementation of this continental action plan on drug control and crime prevention,” Dr Akinola stated. “We are in the process of re-evaluating and starting another continental action plan that will take us from 2026 to 2030. We have identified a few countries to understand how this action plan was actually implemented in the member states.”

“If there are gaps and new or emerging trends, we hope to include them. We understand very well the work of NDLEA and believe that the formulation of the new action plan will not be finalised without input from NDLEA Nigeria, because you are basically on the forefront when it comes to law enforcement on the entire continent,” he added.

The AU team lauded the NDLEA for its consistent provision of critical and policy-relevant data which, they noted, had greatly influenced the Commission’s work over the years.

Their mission, they added, was to obtain a comprehensive update on national drug control strategies, identify institutional gaps, and explore technical support opportunities in areas such as forensic science, canine detection, and capacity development.

Receiving the delegation, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), underscored the strategic importance of the visit and welcomed the AU’s practical approach.

“We are particularly pleased that the African Union is giving due weight to the implementation of the continental action plan, not merely as a theoretical exercise, but by undertaking direct field consultations with national counterparts,” Marwa said. “This grounded, evidence-informed approach will undoubtedly result in a more pragmatic and responsive framework for implementation.”

General Marwa also sounded a warning about the growing drug abuse crisis looming over Africa. He noted that while global projections indicate a 10–11% increase in drug use prevalence, Africa could face a staggering 40% surge if action is not taken swiftly.

“This disparity signals a looming crisis that demands coordinated and accelerated action. We deeply appreciate the AU’s leadership in this space and commend your proactive efforts,” he said.

The visit marks a significant step toward reinforcing Africa’s collective response to the worsening drug situation, with Nigeria and the NDLEA expected to remain central to future continental strategies.