2026/2030 DRUG CONTROL PLAN: EU, UNODC, ECOWAS Assure Nigeria of support

The International partners including the European Union (EU), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) have given an assurance of support to Nigeria her determination to tackle the problem of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the next five years. The assurance was given in their remarks at the opening session of a two-day National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) Consultative Forum organized by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Abuja Speaking at the opening session of a two-day National Drug Control Master Plan, the Deputy Head, EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Zissimos Vergos, the European Union expressed preparedness to assist Nigeria in her ongoing drug control efforts. UNODC Country Representative, Chiekh Ousmane Touré, noted that the world is currently witnessing a profound shift in the drug landscape, particularly with the rise of synthetic drugs, the increased sophistication of trafficking networks and the use of technology to expand illicit markets. In his welcome remarks, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that while Nigeria may celebrate the milestones of the past five years, the nation must confront a sobering reality of a mutating threat. The NDLEA boss acknowledged the support of local and international partners especially the UNODC and ECOWAS in the production of the 2026-2030 NDCMP draft. The NDLEA boss urged the gathering of experts and participants to remember that the drug problem is not an abstract concept or a set of statistics but a daily reality in our homes, our schools, and our streets.