First Lady, NDLEA Rally Governors’ Wives Against Drug Abuse in Communities
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, have called on the wives of state governors to spearhead grassroots efforts in the national fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
The appeal was made during a capacity-building workshop organized by the NDLEA for members of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF), held in Abuja on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. The event focused on advancing the objectives of the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) through localized, community-driven strategies.
Delivering her keynote address through a representative, Hajiya Laila Jibrin Barau, wife of the Deputy Senate President, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu lauded the NDLEA and NGSF for initiating a timely intervention. She particularly praised NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) for his leadership in addressing the drug crisis.
“This training could not have come at a more appropriate time, as both data and daily realities reveal the depth of drug infiltration into every corner of our communities,” she said. “We face a national emergency—one threatening the health, safety, and future of our children.”
Senator Tinubu emphasized that drug and substance abuse among adolescents demands urgent, collective action. “It requires a community-based response integrating enforcement, education, family support, and sustainable interventions,” she said.
The First Lady urged governors’ wives to use the insights from the workshop to develop practical, collaborative solutions alongside NDLEA, law enforcement, healthcare providers, educators, and civil society. “As First Ladies, you owe it to your people to lead by example, to carry their burdens, and champion prevention, recovery, and reintegration initiatives for those affected by addiction,” she stated.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Marwa (Rtd), in his welcome remarks, described the drug menace as a major barrier to national development, health, and security. He stressed that Nigeria is not immune to the growing global drug crisis, noting its deep penetration across all sectors of society.
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“In the last four years, the NDLEA has taken an aggressive, multi-faceted approach to combat drug trafficking and abuse,” Marwa stated. “We have arrested 62,595 suspects, including 68 drug barons, seized over 10.3 million kilograms of illicit drugs, and secured 11,628 convictions. Additionally, 1,330 hectares of cannabis farms were destroyed.”
He highlighted the agency’s efforts on the demand reduction front as well, including counseling and treating 24,375 drug users between January 2021 and March 2025, and conducting 10,501 sensitization programmes under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, which reached over 3.8 million Nigerians.
Marwa urged the governors’ spouses to not be disheartened by the enormity of the challenge. “Let us develop grassroots solutions that prioritize the human cost of addiction over statistics. The cost of inaction is far greater than that of collective action,” he warned.
He called on all states to establish, strengthen, and revitalize State Drug Control Committees (SDCCs) as platforms for cross-sectoral collaboration on drug prevention and treatment. “As mothers and changemakers, you hold a sacred trust to steer your states as models of drug-free communities,” he said.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Representative, Cheikh Ousmane Toure, echoed the need for local ownership of the fight against drug abuse. “If the roots of this crisis lie in our homes, schools, and neighborhoods, then the solutions must also be locally grounded,” he said.
Toure urged state governments to prioritize resource mobilization for prevention and treatment efforts, including the creation of community-based drop-in centers and safe spaces for care. He emphasized the importance of culturally adapted, evidence-based programs, and decentralized access to treatment.
“You, the First Ladies, are the custodians of trust in your states. When you act, your communities follow,” Toure affirmed, encouraging them to harness their influence for meaningful change.
In a goodwill message, Dr. Daniel Amankwaah, Head of the ECOWAS Drug Prevention and Control Division, aligned with the calls for state-level investment in drug prevention and treatment. He stressed that sustainable progress will only come through committed and well-coordinated efforts at both state and community levels.
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment among participants to strengthen community-focused responses, collaborate across sectors, and institutionalize policies that support prevention, rehabilitation, and social reintegration of drug users across Nigeria.
By PRNigeria
