By Ibironke Ariyo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced weeklong activities to commemorate the 2026 World Drug Day(WDD).
The announcement was made at a joint press briefing by NDLEA and UNODC at the agency’s headquarters on Friday in Abuja.
Addressing new
smen, the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen Buba Marwa, who was represented by the agency Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, noted that WDD observed globally on June 26, was a vital occasion.
This, he said, was during which the NDLEA collective efforts against the illicit drug menace were evaluated, refined, and given a definitive policy direction for the subsequent 12 months.
Speaking on the theme for the 2026 WDD, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses”, Marwa said the theme underscored the evolving dynamic of the global drug landscape.
The NDLEA boss acknowledged that while old battlegrounds remain, new synthetic threats, sophisticated trafficking networks, and digital illicit markets have emerged.
This, he added demanded that the agency counter them with proactive, technology-driven, and highly innovative responses.”
Marwa however, noted that the agency had long recognised that old strategies could not solve new problems.
He said that under the continuous support of the Federal Government and the diverse stakeholders, the agency have heavily modernised its operations and balanced its enforcement capabilities with aggressive social advocacy.
He added that the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative remained the primary vehicle for preventive action, and it had been refitted to address the new challenges by leveraging data.
This, he said included community intelligence, and innovative public enlightenment tools to protect youth from falling victim to illicit substances.
“In strict alignment with this year’s profound theme, we are keeping alive our tradition of a week-long commemoration. To this end, the week officially kicks off today, Friday, June 19 with this press conference.
“Later today, Friday, June 19, we shall proceed to the National Mosque, Abuja, for a special Juma’at Service at 1:30 pm to seek divine guidance and commemorate this significant week.
“Tomorrow, Saturday, June 20, our highly anticipated Walk Against Drugs, staged in collaboration with Baze University, Nile University, and the MTN Foundation (MTNF), will take place.
“The take-off point will be the African University of Science and Technology, Galadimawa, starting at 8:00am.
“On Sunday, June 21st, we will continue our spiritual intercession with a Thanksgiving Church Service at a designated worship center to commit the week’s activities into the hands of the Almighty,” he said.
Marwa said that the agency would also host the final level of its national essay competition, themed: “Say No to Drug: Building a Healthy and Responsible Generation On Monday, June 22 at 10:00 am.
He said that the intellectual contest highlighted the agency focus on youth engagement and creative prevention.
“On Tuesday, June 23, we will observe NGO Day. This day is dedicated to our civil society partners who remain indispensable in our grassroots sensitization efforts.
“On Wednesday, June 24, we will be having our Youth Out of School Programme. This is a targeted campaign focusing on high-risk environments within the FCT Area Councils, specifically reaching out to youths in major markets and motor parks with innovative, relatable anti-drug messaging.
“Thursday, June 25, will be dedicated strictly to strategic planning, final reviews, and briefings in preparation for the grand finale.
“Finally, the climax of the weeklong activities, the Grand Finale, will hold on Friday, June 26 at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
“This event will gather top government functionaries, diplomatic communities, and international stakeholders to formally unveil new policy frameworks for tackling the modern facets of the drug crisis,”he said.
Marwa however highlighted the recent operational milestones by the agency, which he said directly mirror its readiness to confront persisting issues and new challenges,
The NDLEA boss noted that the flagship WADA programme, launched five years ago on WDD 2021, had matured into a formidable “Whole-of-Society Approach.”
He said that it had successfully bridged the gap between law enforcement and the citizenry, turning ordinary Nigerians into active stakeholders in the war against drug abuse.In his remark, the UNODC Country Representative, Mr Cheikh Toure who was represented by the Deputy Country Representative, Mr. Danielo Campisi, stated that the world drug problem was not static, but evolving.
Toure said that Nigeria stands at a critical point where it must address long-standing challenges while adapting to new realities.
“As we reflect on this theme today, let us remember: No single institution can address these challenges alone.
“Progress depends on partnership, shared responsibility, and sustained action. The problem persists, but it is not insurmountable.
“The challenges are evolving, but so are our solutions, and our response must be united, informed, and forward-looking,”he said.
On the enforcement front, Marwa said that the agency’s “Offensive Action” against drug cartels, launched in January 2021, has maintained its relentless momentum.
He said that the agency had continued to dismantle complex syndicates, leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of major drug barons.
“Our legal department has achieved unprecedented conviction rates, fortified heavily by the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). We are not just arresting traffickers, we are liquidating their financial empires.
“Through the civil action in rem instrumentalities, assets reasonably suspected to be proceeds of drug crimes are aggressively targeted and forfeited to the Federal Government, effectively cutting off the lifeblood of these criminal networks,”he said.
Marwa expressed the profound gratitude of the agency to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering political will and support, as well as to State Governments across the federation.
“Our deep appreciation also goes to our international partners, most notably the UNODC, the US-Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
“Also, the UK Home Office International Operations (HOIO), Border Force, and the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom, the French Police and the German BKA, among others.