Nigeria, Qatar Deepen Cooperation to Combat Drug Trafficking
…Envoy Pledges Support as Marwa Seeks Qatar Foundation’s Help for Rehabilitation Centres
Nigeria and the State of Qatar have strengthened their collaborative efforts in the global fight against illicit drug trafficking following the formal exchange of instruments of ratification of their bilateral agreement on combating narcotics and psychotropic substances.
The exchange ceremony took place on Tuesday, 7th October 2025, at the Embassy of Qatar in Abuja, where the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), and the Qatari Ambassador to Nigeria, Ali Bin Ghanem Al-Hajri, reaffirmed their nations’ shared commitment to tackling the menace of drug abuse and trafficking.
The agreement stems from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier signed between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on 3rd March 2024, in Doha.
The MoU focuses on cooperation in combating the illicit trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and their precursors – an initiative both leaders described as pivotal to promoting regional stability and public health.
Speaking at the event, Brig Gen Marwa commended the partnership between both countries, describing it as “a vital alliance against a major threat to public health and global security.”
He noted that Nigeria remains steadfast in working with Qatar to curb the illicit drug trade and protect citizens from the scourge of substance abuse.
“The NDLEA is fully committed to collaborating with our counterpart in Doha to protect our people and countries from the threat of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking,” Marwa said.
Highlighting the agency’s recent achievements, he disclosed that within the last four years, the NDLEA had intercepted over 1,000 kilogrammes of various narcotic substances – including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and cannabis – destined for Qatar.
While acknowledging Qatar’s peacebuilding efforts and humanitarian interventions across the globe through the Qatar Foundation, Marwa appealed for the organisation’s support in establishing modern rehabilitation facilities in Nigeria to aid the treatment and reintegration of individuals struggling with drug addiction.
“The Qatar Foundation has made remarkable contributions to humanitarian causes around the world. We would be grateful for its support in expanding access to rehabilitation and treatment for victims of drug abuse in Nigeria,” he stated.
In his response, Ambassador Ali Bin Ghanem Al-Hajri welcomed the growing cooperation between Nigeria and Qatar, assuring that he would communicate Marwa’s request to the Qatar Foundation.
He noted that the bilateral partnership had recorded steady progress and expressed optimism that it would further strengthen people-to-people relations between both nations.
“The relationship between Qatar and Nigeria has improved significantly in recent years, and this collaboration is another step forward in addressing global challenges together,” the envoy said, adding that the volume of travel and exchanges between the two countries had also increased substantially.
The renewed cooperation marks another milestone in Nigeria’s international campaign against narcotics trafficking, underscoring the NDLEA’s growing global partnerships to enhance intelligence sharing, enforcement, and rehabilitation initiatives.
