ABUJA, June 19, 2026. – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Friday unveiled a weeklong programme of activities to commemorate the 2026 World Drug Day.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the activities would focus on raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and strengthening collaboration in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.
Marwa, who was represented by the Secretary of the agency, Mr Shadrach Haruna, spoke at a joint press briefing organised by NDLEA and UNODC at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said that the 2026 World Drug Day theme, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” reflected the changing dynamics of the global drug landscape.
According to him, the emergence of synthetic drugs, sophisticated trafficking networks and digital illicit markets requires proactive, technology-driven and innovative responses.
“World Drug Day, observed globally on June 26, remains a vital occasion for evaluating collective efforts against the illicit drug menace and charting a course for future interventions.
“At the NDLEA, we have long recognised that old strategies cannot solve new problems. Under the support of the Federal Government and stakeholders, we have modernised our operations and strengthened social advocacy initiatives.
“Our War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) programme remains a key preventive platform and has been adapted to address emerging challenges through the use of data, community intelligence and innovative public enlightenment tools,” he said.
Marwa said the weeklong activities would commence on June 19 with a press conference and a special Juma’at prayer at the National Mosque, Abuja.
He added that a Walk Against Drugs, organised in collaboration with Baze University, Nile University and the MTN Foundation, would hold on June 20.
According to him, other activities include a thanksgiving church service on June 21, the national essay competition final on June 22, NGO Day on June 23 and a youth outreach programme targeting markets and motor parks within the Federal Capital Territory on June 24.
He said that June 25 would be dedicated to planning and preparations, while the grand finale would hold on June 26 at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Marwa also highlighted some of the agency’s recent operational achievements.
He said that the WADA initiative, launched in 2021, had evolved into a “whole-of-society approach” that encouraged public participation in the fight against drug abuse.
On enforcement efforts, he said NDLEA had sustained its offensive against drug cartels through arrests, prosecutions and the seizure of assets linked to illicit drug activities.
“We are not just arresting traffickers; we are also targeting the financial structures that sustain their operations.
“Through the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act, assets reasonably suspected to be proceeds of drug crimes are being forfeited to the Federal Government,” he said.
Marwa expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, state governments, international partners and local security agencies for their support to the agency.
He specifically acknowledged the contributions of UNODC, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the UK Home Office International Operations, the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom and other partners.
In his remarks, the UNODC Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr Cheikh Ousmane Toure, represented by the Deputy Country Representative, Mr Danielo Campisi, said the global drug problem continued to evolve and required coordinated responses.
Toure said that Nigeria must address existing challenges while adapting to emerging realities in the drug control landscape.
“No single institution can address these challenges alone. Progr
[15:49, 19/06/2026] Michael Mbonye: NDLEA, UNODC unveil activities for 2026 World Drug Day commemoration
ABUJA, June 19 (NAN) – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Friday unveiled a weeklong programme of activities to commemorate the 2026 World Drug Day.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the activities would focus on raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and strengthening collaboration in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.
Marwa, who was represented by the Secretary of the agency, Mr Shadrach Haruna, spoke at a joint press briefing organised by NDLEA and UNODC at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said that the 2026 World Drug Day theme, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” reflected the changing dynamics of the global drug landscape.
According to him, the emergence of synthetic drugs, sophisticated trafficking networks and digital illicit markets requires proactive, technology-driven and innovative responses.
“World Drug Day, observed globally on June 26, remains a vital occasion for evaluating collective efforts against the illicit drug menace and charting a course for future interventions.
“At the NDLEA, we have long recognised that old strategies cannot solve new problems. Under the support of the Federal Government and stakeholders, we have modernised our operations and strengthened social advocacy initiatives.
“Our War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) programme remains a key preventive platform and has been adapted to address emerging challenges through the use of data, community intelligence and innovative public enlightenment tools,” he said.
Marwa said the weeklong activities would commence on June 19 with a press conference and a special Juma’at prayer at the National Mosque, Abuja.
He added that a Walk Against Drugs, organised in collaboration with Baze University, Nile University and the MTN Foundation, would hold on June 20.
According to him, other activities include a thanksgiving church service on June 21, the national essay competition final on June 22, NGO Day on June 23 and a youth outreach programme targeting markets and motor parks within the Federal Capital Territory on June 24.
He said that June 25 would be dedicated to planning and preparations, while the grand finale would hold on June 26 at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Marwa also highlighted some of the agency’s recent operational achievements.
He said that the WADA initiative, launched in 2021, had evolved into a “whole-of-society approach” that encouraged public participation in the fight against drug abuse.
On enforcement efforts, he said NDLEA had sustained its offensive against drug cartels through arrests, prosecutions and the seizure of assets linked to illicit drug activities.
“We are not just arresting traffickers; we are also targeting the financial structures that sustain their operations.
“Through the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act, assets reasonably suspected to be proceeds of drug crimes are being forfeited to the Federal Government,” he said.
Marwa expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, state governments, international partners and local security agencies for their support to the agency.
He specifically acknowledged the contributions of UNODC, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the UK Home Office International Operations, the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom and other partners.
In his remarks, the UNODC Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr Cheikh Ousmane Toure, represented by the Deputy Country Representative, Mr Danielo Campisi, said the global drug problem continued to evolve and required coordinated responses.
Toure said that Nigeria must address existing challenges while adapting to emerging realities in the drug control landscape.
“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 solutions.
” Our response must be united, informed and forward-looking,” he said.
He reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through evidence -based interventions, innovation, human-centered approaches and international cooperation.
The World Drug Day is observed annually on June 26 to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
