Oluremi Tinubu, the first lady, has called for a community-driven response to tackle drug abuse among adolescents in the country.
The first lady spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at a workshop for the Nigeria governors’ spouses’ forum organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Oluremi, represented by Laila Barau, wife of the deputy senate president, said the fight against drug abuse requires concerted efforts that integrate enforcement, education, family support, and sustained intervention.
She commended NDLEA for its fight against illicit drugs and trafficking in the country, noting that the rise in substance abuse among adolescents is a challenge that must not be tackled in isolation.
Advertisement
“It is my hope that this capacity-building workshop, through honest discussions and sharing of best practices, will provide valuable insights into evidence-based strategies for prevention, early intervention, and holistic treatment approaches, especially targeting marginalised and vulnerable communities,” Oluremu said.
“I urge us to utilise the knowledge gathered at this training to develop viable solutions while collaborating with relevant stakeholders, especially the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, other law enforcement agencies, MDAs, civil society organisations, healthcare providers, educators, and community leaders.”
Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, said the agency has arrested 62,595 suspects and seized 10,317,137.55 kg of various illegal drugs over the past four years.
Advertisement
Marwa said NDLEA also secured the conviction of 11,628 offenders and destroyed 1,330.56553 hectares of cannabis farms within the period.
“Under the drug supply reduction mandate—encompassing drug seizures, arrests, prosecutions, and convictions—we recorded the arrest of 62,595 drug suspects (including 68 drug barons), the seizure of 10,317,137.55 kilograms of assorted drugs, and secured the conviction of 11,628 offenders,” he said.
“Concurrently, 10,501 drug sensitisation programmes were conducted nationwide under the auspices of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy campaign, reaching diverse target groups within communities.
Marwa noted that 24,375 drug users received counselling and treatment at NDLEA facilities between January 2021 and March 2025.
Advertisement
He expressed confidence that the training would strengthen capacities and harness community resources to unlock the potential needed to formulate and implement evidence-based interventions in the country.
The NDLEA boss, who called for the establishment and revitalisation of state drug control committees (SDCC) at the subnational level, said it remains a potent platform for fostering multisectoral collaboration in drug demand reduction.
