NDLEA, UNODC Unveil 2025 World Drug Day Activities, Call for National Commitment to Prevention

…Marwa, UNODC Urge States and Citizens to Own the Fight Against Illicit Drug Use

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have jointly launched activities for the 2025 World Drug Day, calling on Nigerians, including state governments, to actively own and participate in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

Speaking during a joint press conference held at the NDLEA’s National Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, 18th June 2025, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), emphasised that drug prevention is a collective responsibility that must not be left to the NDLEA alone.

“As we enter another United Nations year focused on prevention, it is vital to stress that the responsibility of shielding our citizens from harmful substances does not rest solely on the shoulders of the NDLEA. It is a collective duty – one that demands the involvement of all, including the general public,” Marwa stated.

He disclosed that the agency would intensify its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy campaign to support families, schools, workplaces, religious centres, communities, and trade groups in fostering awareness and prevention.

This year’s World Drug Day, themed “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” will guide NDLEA’s nationwide campaigns, outreach initiatives and stakeholder engagements over the next 12 months.

Unveiling the agency’s week-long activities to commemorate the Day, Marwa said the events are aimed at generating public awareness, stimulating dialogue, and mobilising national action.

The week of activities began with Wednesday’s press briefing and will continue with the following events:

Friday, 20th June: Juma’at Service at the National Mosque, Abuja.

Saturday, 21st June (8am): “Walk Against Drug Abuse” in partnership with MTN Nigeria Foundation and the University of Abuja, taking place on the university campus in Gwagwalada.

Sunday, 22nd June (10am): Thanksgiving Service at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Regional Church, Wuye, Abuja.

Monday, 23rd June: Final stage of a school essay competition on “Why I Must Not Take Drugs,” to be held at NDLEA headquarters in Jahi. The day will also feature NGO-led youth-focused drug prevention initiatives.

Tuesday, 24th June (8am): Outreach campaigns targeting out-of-school youths in markets and motor parks across the FCT Area Councils.

Thursday, 26th June (9am): Grand finale and commemorative event to be held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

Marwa highlighted that the agency’s operational capacity continues to strengthen, with advancements in arrests, convictions, and drug seizures. Notably, NDLEA has integrated body cameras into its field operations as part of efforts to modernise enforcement.

“In four and a half years of my leadership, the Agency has been advancing steadily on the path of reform and progress,” he noted. “Earlier this year, we commissioned our first barracks in Yola, Adamawa State. In April, we opened an accommodation facility and rehabilitation centre in Kano. Our barracks in Abuja is almost complete, and work is nearing completion on the Lagos barracks.”

Representing UNODC at the briefing, Danilo Campisi, Deputy Head of the Office in Nigeria, stressed the need for evidence-based prevention and decentralised drug control strategies.

He explained that drug trafficking is closely linked to other transnational crimes such as human trafficking, illegal mining, and environmental degradation.

“These interconnected crimes entrench poverty, exploitation, institutional weakness and addiction,” Campisi stated, adding that their proceeds often fund violent extremism.

He praised Marwa and NDLEA for their outstanding work and called on sub-national governments to get fully involved. “We must involve the state governments. Interventions cannot remain centralised if we are to make significant progress,” he warned.

Campisi reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through capacity building in border management, intelligence sharing, forensic analysis, and joint enforcement operations.

“We stand in solidarity with the Nigerian government, civil society and communities in the fight to dismantle criminal chains, prevent addiction, and restore dignity through recovery,” he said. “UNODC is proud to partner with NDLEA under the visionary leadership of General Marwa.”

With 2025 declared by the United Nations as another year focused on prevention, both the NDLEA and UNODC expressed confidence that increased awareness, grassroots mobilisation, and institutional reforms will reinforce the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Nigeria.