First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has called for a united, community-driven approach to tackle the growing problem of drug abuse among adolescents in Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at a capacity-building workshop for the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum, organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Tinubu represented by Laila Barau, wife of the Deputy Senate President emphasised that the drug crisis cannot be addressed in isolation.
She urged stakeholders to integrate enforcement with education, family support, and sustained interventions to achieve lasting impact. “The fight against drug abuse requires a comprehensive strategy involving all sectors of society,” she said. “This includes law enforcement, educators, healthcare providers, civil society, and especially families and communities.”
Commending the NDLEA for its relentless efforts in combating illicit drug use and trafficking, the First Lady expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of substance abuse among young people. She stressed the need to target vulnerable and marginalised communities through prevention, early intervention, and holistic treatment.
“It is my hope that this workshop, through open dialogue and the sharing of best practices, will yield valuable insights into evidence-based strategies for tackling this challenge,” she said. “Let us use the knowledge gained here to craft viable, collaborative solutions.”
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd), highlighted the agency’s achievements over the past four years, including the arrest of 62,595 drug suspects, seizure of over 10.3 million kilograms of various illicit drugs, and the destruction of more than 1,330 hectares of cannabis farms.
He also noted that 24,375 drug users received treatment and counselling at NDLEA facilities between January 2021 and March 2025, underscoring the agency’s commitment to rehabilitation as well as enforcement.
Marwa stressed the importance of strengthening subnational efforts by establishing or revitalising State Drug Control Committees (SDCCs), which he described as a key mechanism for coordinating multisectoral action on drug demand reduction.
He expressed optimism that the workshop would enhance capacity and empower local actors to drive effective, evidence-based responses across communities.
